Mikel Arteta declared "the Premier League starts again" after Arsenal's 2-1 loss to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium this evening.
The defeat has trimmed the Gunners' advantage to just three points, with Pep Guardiola's side holding a game in hand.
Should City overcome Burnley in midweek, they would move to the summit on goal difference for the first time since the campaign's opening weekend.
Yet Arteta remained bullish about his team's prospects with five fixtures remaining.
Mikel Arteta remained defiant after Arsenal's defeat at the Etihad with Man City closing in
|REUTERS
"They have a game in hand, we are three points ahead, five games to play so game on," the Spaniard said.
The Arsenal boss revealed his squad emerged from the dressing room with heightened belief in their title credentials.
"Today if they need to be more convinced, I think they are now more convinced," Arteta said. "They were talking about it in the dressing room."
He added: "It's a new league now. We have three points of advantage and five games to play. So everything is still to play for."
The manager emphasised his unwavering faith in the group, noting he believed in them before the match and continues to do so having witnessed their daily commitment in training.
City beat Arsenal 2-1 through a second-half goal from Erling Haaland
|REUTERS
"We're not going to stop and we're going to go again, that's for sure," he insisted.
Arteta firmly rejected any notion that his players required motivational intervention following a difficult run of four defeats in six matches.
"If I have to pick the players to win the Premier League with five games to go in our hands and be in the final of the Champions League, I think I should be at home," he stated.
The 42-year-old was emphatic that such support has never been necessary throughout his tenure.
"So it's not the case. It's not needed. It's never been needed, even in difficult moments," Arteta said.
His squad now prepare to host Newcastle next weekend as the title race enters its decisive phase.
Arsenal fell behind when Rayan Cherki produced a brilliant run into the box before beating David Raya in the 16th minute.
"We lost an opportunity today, but we need to reset and go again"
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Mikel Arteta gives his thoughts on Arsenal's loss to Manchester City 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/YO6WVlK73B
The Gunners responded swiftly, with Kai Havertz levelling within two minutes after charging down Gianluigi Donnarumma's attempted clearance.
Erling Haaland struck the decisive blow on 65 minutes to secure City's victory.
Havertz squandered opportunities to rescue a point, most notably powering a stoppage-time header over the crossbar from Leandro Trossard's excellent delivery.
"The difference was in both boxes, that's for sure," Arteta acknowledged, conceding that a lack of clinical finishing proved costly despite his side's commendable approach to the contest.