Arteta’s side slipped from the top of the table as a result (Picture: Getty)
Mikel Arteta slammed his Arsenal side for ‘giving goals’ to Manchester City in their top of the table clash at the Emirates.
Pep Guardiola’s side sealed a 3-1 win on Wednesday night to move into first place, clear of Arsenal on goal difference after tonight’s victory.
Takehiro Tomiyasu’s attempted clearance was pounced upon by Kevin de Bruyne in the first-half with the Belgian finding the net brilliantly to give City the lead.
Bukayo Saka levelled from the penalty spot but Arsenal were undone in the second-half through goals from Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland.
A mistake from Gabriel resulted in Grealish capping a slick move to restore the away side’s lead before Haaland drilled home a cutback from de Bruyne.
Arteta was left to rue the mistakes, insisting his side ‘gave’ goals to City while also failing to convert their own chances with Eddie Nketiah missing chances in both halves.
‘We lost it, and I say we because we lost it,’ Arteta told Amazon Prime. ‘It was an incredible battle between two teams and when we had them, we just gave them the goals. Absolutely gave them the goals.
Haaland was among the goals at the Emirates (Picture: Getty)
‘And against this team they are going to destroy you and on the other hand we had three big, big chances and we didn’t put them away and this was the difference.’
Arteta added: ‘To beat them we have to be over our level because of the quality they have.
‘I think we had them in big moments but again the games are defined in individual moments especially in the box and they were better than us there.’
Arsenal still have a game in hand on City while the two sides will meet again at the Emirates in April.
The Gunners were also without midfielder Thomas Partey, who was ruled out ahead of kick-off due to a thigh problem with January signing Jorginho coming into replace him.
Arsenal are back in action against Aston Villa on Sunday and can temporarily move back to the top of the league with City in action against Nottingham Forest later that afternoon.
MORE : Manchester City leapfrog Arsenal to claim Premier League top spot after Emirates thriller
MORE : Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta speaks out on Thomas Partey injury blow for Manchester City showdown
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The Gunners had their chances to haul back City on the night.
