After Arsenal’s 2-0 home loss to Aston Villa on Sunday, their chances of winning the Premier League were snatched out of their hands, but manager Mikel Arteta stated that their response will be critical.
A first defeat in 12 league games evoked terrible memories of Arsenal’s collapse under Manchester City’s persistent assault last season.
Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins’ late goals gave Villa a thrilling victory on a day when Manchester City was still the overwhelming favourite to win the championship for the fourth time in a row.
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City, who beat Luton Town on Saturday, leads Arsenal and Liverpool, who were shocked by Crystal Palace earlier on Sunday, with 73 points from 32 games.
“That’s the reality now,” Arteta said when asked if Manchester City were now in charge of the title race.
“It’s been the same for a few months.
“We knew this moment could come and now it’s about reacting well.
“If one result is going to (derail us) then we are not strong enough.
“We had a great performance in the first half, it should have been three or four.
“Second half the momentum shifted. Now the moment is to stand up and be counted.”
Following Villa’s second goal, many of supporters left The Emirates, severely hurting Arsenal’s chances of winning a first title in 20 years.
However, Declan Rice, a midfielder, stated that there are still six games left, so all is not lost.
“Sometimes you need a game like this to re-set and re-focus and I still believe there will be loads of twists and turns,” Rice, who was not at his influential best, told Sky Sports.
After their first league loss since New Year’s Eve, Arsenal can ill afford to suffer any kind of hangover.
After a 2-2 draw in the first leg, they take on Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.
The following weekend, they visit Wolverhampton Wanderers, where they will have another chance to top the standings, despite having played one extra game than Pep Guardiola’s City.
“After losing any game they are frustrated and sad,” Arteta told reporters.
“We have a beautiful opportunity that hasn’t happened in 14 years to go to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
” It couldn’t come in a better moment.