In a match that many predicted would decide the destination of the Premier League trophy, we suffered a bruising 2-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium. It was a game of high quality and even higher stakes, but ultimately, City's experience and clinical finishing shone through.
City took the lead through Rayan Cherki in the 16th minute, a superb strike that momentarily stunned the travelling Gooners. The response took 30 seconds. Kai Havertz cut out a Gianluigi Donnarumma clearance and the ball ricocheted in off him, the scruffiest equaliser you will see in a game this big, and nobody in the away end cared.
The second half was an intense tactical battle until Erling Haaland settled it on 65 minutes. We pushed in the closing stages, but the difference, as it so often is between these two, was what happened in the two boxes.
"Very upset with the result obviously. We came here to win. The message was clear. We believed we could win it. We proved that we are there, but the reality was in the two boxes. That was the difference," said Arteta.
He was not conceding anything: "I believe [we can win the title] because I see them every day, I know the level we have. They are now more convinced, they were talking about it in the dressing room. Everything is still to play for."
A second successive defeat cuts the lead to three points, and City have a game in hand. As the boss put it, the Premier League starts again. We battle on.
Man of the Match: Kai Havertz. The goal owed plenty to a ricochet, but the pressing that forced Donnarumma into the clearance was all his, and he never stopped on a difficult afternoon.