Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal are still gunning for the Premier League title as he praised his squad for refusing to settle for Champions League qualification ahead of Sunday's St James' Park showdown with Newcastle United.
Having topped the table for much of the season, Arsenal slipped from the summit following Manchester City's 2-1 win at Fulham on Sunday afternoon. City have now won eight successive league games, including a 4-1 humbling of the Gunners last week which put a fifth title in six years in their own hands.
Conversely, Arsenal have taken just three points from their last four fixtures but their form over the course of the campaign has at least guaranteed a return to Champions League football after six seasons away from Europe's top table. While City are now favourites, Arteta will be aiming for a return to form when struggling Chelsea visit the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night before Sunday's trip to Newcastle, as he refused to rule Arsenal out of the hunt.
