Pep Guardiola makes telling Arsenal title admission after Man City defeat

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Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City can still reel in Arsenal over the course of the Premier League season, despite his side falling six points adrift of the leaders. City were beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa on Sunday while Arsenal beat Crystal Palace by the same scoreline to take control of the title race.

Matty Cash's strike from the edge of the box proved the difference at Villa Park as the home side managed to keep in-form Erling Haaland quiet. City had gone nine games unbeaten across all competitions on the back of Haaland's red-hot form but came unstuck against Unai Emery's side.

Haaland saw his best opportunity from a Phil Foden through ball saved by Emi Martinez, while Gianluigi Donnarumma was busy at the other end to deny John McGinn and Jadon Sancho. The result left City fifth in the Premier League, behind Arsenal , Bournemouth, Tottenham and Sunderland .

But Guardiola has plenty of experience of title races, having masterminded six title wins during his nine years with City and he isn't throwing in the towel.

“We have try to close [the gap],” he said. “Arsenal have been solid for many years. I’m concerned with how we can improve as a team and to be close. From my experience it’s (the season) so long. This my experience.

“There are many teams there. Bournemouth are doing really well and the other ones, and we’ll try to do our game. I was worried before the international break when we were 14th in the table.

“Listen, our job is not to look at the table. If they win all their games and win the Premier League , congratulations.

“But I have the feeling that the team is alive, the team is good. I don’t know how many teams can play here and play the way that we played with the courage, the possession and the chances and concede less expected goals and these kinds of things.

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“We have to do little details better but I don’t live in October and November thinking what is going to happen if we don’t win the Premier League. It’s game by game.”

Eberechi Eze's goal was enough for Arsenal to beat Palace at home as they kept a sixth clean sheet in nine league games. They have the best defensive record in Europe's top five leagues, having conceded just three times so far this season.

The Gunners travel to Burnley next in the Premier League, while City will face host in-form Bournemouth. Defending champions Liverpool have dropped to seventh on the back of a fourth straight league defeat and are seven points adrift of Arsenal.

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