A Lot Has Happened In This League — Mikel Arteta

• Mikel Arteta keeps the hope flag burning for his Arsenal team.

• Despite the devastating defeat to Manchester City in the premier league, Mikel Arteta still believes there is a chance to nab the league for City.

• The result on Wednesday leaves the Gunners hanging in the balance.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remains confident that his team can win the Premier League title this season despite suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat to title rivals Manchester City.

The defeat at the Etihad saw City close the gap to just two points behind the Gunners, with two games in hand.

EDITOR’S PICK 

• Buhari Under Pressure From NLC To Intervene For Nigerians Trapped In Sudan

• Atiku Lauds Iwuanyanwu’s Election as Ohanaeze Ndigbo President-General

• National Assembly Member-Elect Ismaila Yushau Maihanchi Passes Away: A Big Blow to the PDP

Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring for City with a superb finish early on, before John Stones doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time after a VAR review for offside.

De Bruyne added his second of the match after the interval, putting City in a commanding position. Although Arsenal managed to pull one back through Rob Holding with five minutes remaining, City had the final say as Erling Haaland scored his 49th goal of the season to seal the victory.

Speaking after the match, Arteta admitted his disappointment but maintained his belief that Arsenal can still win the league this season.

“Today is very difficult after the way we lost, but we have to stand up and look at the bigger picture and the fact that we’re competing toe-to-toe with this team – it is incredible,”

Arteta told BT Sport. “We want to compete and we’re not going to give up. There are five games to go and anything can happen. I’ve seen a lot of things happen in more than 20 years and you have to believe that. Tonight it is difficult to do that but we have to look in the mirror and accept that we have lost against an exceptional team, and that is the level.”

Despite City dominating the match from start to finish, Arteta praised his team’s efforts and acknowledged the quality of their opponents. Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was forced into making several top saves to keep the scoreline respectable. Arsenal are now without a win in their last four league matches and face a tough test against Chelsea on Tuesday as they look to keep their title challenge alive.

Meanwhile, City have won their last seven league games and are unbeaten in 17 matches in all competitions. They return to action against Fulham on Sunday and have the opportunity to overtake Arsenal in the league table with a victory at Craven Cottage.

FURTHER READING  

• NIDCOM Chair: Evacuation Arrangements Underway For Nigerians Trapped In Sudan

• Ohanaeze Ndigbo Leadership Crisis: Njiko Igbo Forum Rejects New President-General

• Legal Practitioners Call Out Buhari Over Lack Of Transparency In Asset Declaration

The title race remains finely balanced, with several teams still in contention, but Arsenal will need to improve quickly if they are to keep pace with the league leaders.