Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta: Man City are best in team in history of Premier League

Spaniard insists Gunners should be proud to have gone 'toe-to-toe' with Pep Guardiola's side in title battle

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, right, with his Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola. PA

Mikel Arteta insists he is proud that Arsenal have been able to go “toe-to-toe” with Manchester City this season and described his former club as “best in team in the history of Premier League”.

Arsenal have topped of the table for large parts of the current campaign but have seen their lead evaporate in recent weeks as City embarked on a relentless 12-game winning streak and now need just one more victory to retain the Premier League title.

The Gunners' 3-0 home defeat by Brighton last weekend all but ended their own title dreams and they now sit four points behind Pep Guardiola's treble-chasing side, having played a game more.

The North London club head into Saturday's match at relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest knowing that victory can at least delay celebrations in Manchester for 24 hours, when City take on Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

“We have shown this season,” Arteta said when asked if Arsenal can be title contenders again next season.

“We're still there, with two games to go we can still be champions against probably the best team in Premier League history.

“For 10 months we're still there. There's two games still to go and we're not going to bottle that for sure.

“It shows the level of this league. That team [City] has the capacity to win 105 to 110 points. They haven't done that this season because of the level of the league and we've been there toe-to-toe for 10 months.”

Arsenal 0 Brighton 3: Player ratings

ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale 5: Turned Enciso effort over bar in what was Brighton’s only effort on target in first half. No chance with first goal, lobbed for second after Trossard made a mess of the keeper’s pass out from back. Parried Udav’s shot straight to Estupinan for the third. Reuters

Ben White 4: Found both Enciso and Mitoma handfuls as the Brighton widemen switched flanks. Tormented by latter in run-up to Enciso’s goal and the Japanese winger had White on toast on more than one occasion. Reuters

Gabriel 7: Arsenal’s best defender, and probably best player, on day when many of his teammates struggled. Brazilian was solid from start to finish. PA

Jakub Kiwior 4: Up against a talented and physical opponent in Ferguson who held off the Pole’s challenge to shoot wide in first half. Went down holding leg just before Enciso scored and left Arsenal man down when he surely should have stayed on feet. Getty

Kieran Tierney 5: Back in team in place of Oleksandr Zinchenko, which many Arsenal fans felt should have happened well before the Ukrainian’s injury. But had a tough time against direct running of Enciso. Reuters

Jorginho 4: The fulcrum to Arsenal’s win at Newcastle last week, was left moaning at minor Brighton challenges this one as the visitors harried Arsenal’s midfield from start to finish. AFP

Granit Xhaka 5: Has been the heartbeat of Arsenal’s title challenge but lost battle in centre of park and both centre-midfielders were replaced midway through second half as Gunners chased game. AP

Martin Odegaard 6: Left dazed after taking ball full in face in first minute. Recovered to fire low strike from edge of box just wide after quarter-of-an-hour. Drilled a shot across face of goal and well wide in first-half stoppage time. Not one to remember in what has been superb season for Norwegian. EPA

Bukayo Saka 5: First sight of goal came just before half-time but he pulled shot wide of Steele’s near post. Like rest of Arsenal’s attackers, struggled to make impact. EPA

Gabriel Martinelli 5: Incredibly, not even shown yellow card for clattering into Mitoma that could easily have been red in first 10 minutes. Caicedo’s crunching tackle from behind – that should also have been at least a booking - soon after ended Brazilian’s match inside 20 minutes. Reuters

Gabriel Jesus 6: Had low strike from tight angle turned out for corner by Steele at his near post. Certainly cannot fault his workrate but Arsenal needed more threat in front of goal. AFP

SUBS: Leandro Trossard (On for Martinelli 18’) 6: Early introduction against former club and nearly opened scoring when he cut inside and clipped the Brighton bar on 30-minute mark. Hit weak shot straight at keeper in 71st minute. Awful touch led to Brighton’s second. PA

Reiss Nelson (On for Jorginho 60’) 6: Drilled shot centremetres wide not long after coming on. AP

Thomas Partey (On for Xhaka 60’) 5: Brought on to bolster midfield that had struggled to get foothold on game but failed miserably to change the script. Booked late on. Getty

Eddie Nketiah (On for Jesus 77’) N/A. Reuters

Emile Smith Rowe (On for Odegaard 77’) N/A. PA

BRIGHTON RATINGS: Jason Steele 7: Had away hearts in mouths trying to play ball out from back on several occasions. Blocked Jesus strike at near post with his foot that was Arsenal’s sole first-half shot on target. Surprisingly untroubled after break. EPA

Moises Caicedo 8: Playing at trick-back again due to injuries but was excellent away from his midfield comfort zone. Arsenal’s January transfer target should have been booked, at least, for revenge tackle on Martinelli who had clobbered Mitoma minutes earlier. Reuters

Levi Colwill 8: One clever ball over Arsenal defence in opening 45 minutes to Mitoma starting move that ended with Enciso stabbing good chance way over bar. Outstanding at the back alongside Dunk. Getty

Lewis Dunk 8: Crucial captain’s block on Arsenal attempt on goal on edge of half-time then came flying out to try and charge down Saka shot that was enough to put off the England man who shot wide. A typically committed performance from defender. Getty

Pervis Estupinan 8: Had game’s first booking for shove on Saka which was a far less serious challenge than either Martinelli’s or Caicedo’s that both received no card. Slightly fortuitous assist chopping cross into ground that looped straight to Enciso who scored. Good finish on rebound to make it 3-0. Getty

Pascal Gross 8: A key player in Brighton’s pressing game at the Emirates and made life difficult for Arsenal players in possession. A cool and clam performance from German. Harsh booking for foul on Jorginho. PA

Billy Gilmour 7: Former Chelsea man played his part in what an impressive Brighton performance and helped frustrate and nullify Arsenal’s midfield. AP

Alexis Mac Allister 7: Argentine, linked with move to Liverpool in UK media this weekend, almost put Brighton 2-0 up but fired shot just wide. Glides around the pitch and would be big surprising to see World Cup winner playing for Seagulls next season. Getty

Julio Enciso 8: Started on left and had game’s first shot on target when Ramsdale palmed his powerful strike over bar. Leant back and skied a decent chance later in half. Headed Brighton into the lead just after break. Caused chaos in Arsenal defence and ran himself into the ground. AFP

Karoru Mitoma 9: On receiving end of nasty shoulder challenge to the head by Martinelli in first half. Skinned White before setting up chance for Enciso later in half. Left same player for dead in run-up to Brighton’s goal and tormented White throughout. Getty

Evan Ferguson 7: Showed real strength to hold off Kiwior just before break but Irish attacker pulled shot wide of target. A real physical presence for Brighton who holds ball, has a nice touch and lets defenders know he’s about. Getty

SUBS: Danny Welbeck (On for Gilmour 60’) 6: Former Gunner was given warn reception by home fans after coming on. Drilled a shot couple of metres wide. PA

Facundo Buonanotte (On for Ferguson 77’) N/A. AP

Deniz Undav (On for Enciso 82’) N/A. Lobbed home Brighton’s second to kill-off Arsenal hopes on day and in the title race. Reuters

“What happens next season will depend on what we do, how we evolve and how we start. That prediction is very difficult to do today.

“We can't lose sight of what happened in moments where we weren't at our best or at the level required to be champions and we have to acknowledge that.

“But obviously the team, the players, the club deserve huge credit for how far we've come in the season. There are still two very important games to play.”

Arteta, who was Guardiola's assistant at City before making the step-up to manage Arsenal in December 2019, is now looking forward to playing Champions League football next season for the first time since 2017.

But the Spaniard admitted that his squad will need strengthening before it is ready to tackle European football's elite competition once again.

“At the level that we want? No. We didn't have the capacity to do that as well with the Europa League so it's part of that evolution,” he said.

“We have made a lot of good steps and strong steps in that journey and we have to continue. That never ends.

“We want to be better and the rest will be better, then the margins will be higher and we have to start to live with those standards and improve and be smarter.”

There was some good news for the Gunners with the announcement that goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale had signed a new long-term deal with the club.

British media have reported that the contract was set to run until 2026, with the option to extend by a further year.

Newcastle 0 Arsenal 2: Player ratings

NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Nick Pope 9: Unsighted by defenders for Arsenal’s opener. Two excellent blocks with his legs from Martinelli and Odegaard, also tipped another shot from Norwegian out for corner and blocked Saka’s strike in thrilling first half. Could do nothing as Schar turned cross into his own net. AP

Kieran Trippier 7: Former Spurs full-back was pumped from start as Newcastle threw eveything at Arsenal, only for Gunners to score with first shot of game. Some trademark dangerous set-pieces. Involved in angry exchange with Jesus in game that simmered at boiling point throughout. AP

Fabian Schar 7: Swiss defender denied what looked certain goal just after half-time when header from corner was saved superbly by Ramsdale. Disastrous own goal in 71st minute killed off home hopes. Cracked half-volley just over Arsenal bar in last minute. Booked for shoving Nketiah moments later. Reuters

Sven Botman 6: Unlucky to see Odegaard shot go through his legs before Gunners' opener. Headed free-kick straight at Ramsdale. Turned inside out by Martinelli ahead of Arsenal’s second. AP

Dan Burn 7: A big test up against the pacey Saka but did well with England attacker’s only chance coming when he drifted on to opposite flank. Earned game’s first booking in 72nd minute, amazingly for such a physical game, after reckless lunge on Saka. PA

Bruno Guimaraes 6: Thought he had earned early penalty when his shot was blocked for handball only for VAR check to reverse decision. Snapping at Arsenal heels throughout and lucky to escape booking for late challenge on Jorginho. Side-footed weak shot straight at keeper after being teed-up by Joelinton and not as influential as usual overall. AP

Joe Willock 7: Former Arsenal man supplied cross for Murphy’s early chance. Should have levelled scores in first half but shot too close to Ramsdale who blocked well. Drove forward regularly and caused away side problems. Getty

Joelinton 7: Had been immense in first half only to then get caught in possession in middle of park that led to Martinelli chance. Tried to lift side in second half but couldn't inspire a goal as Newastle fell to only their second home defeat of season. Reuters

Jacob Murphy 8: Cracked the foot of post in second minute, had opportunity to go for goal again later in half but passed straight to Arsenal defender. Excellent run and dinked cross to set-up Isak who headed against post just after half-time. Caused Zinchenko so many problems Ukrainian was substituted. EPA

Callum Wilson 7: April saw him score eight in seven games and was livewire presence as he started alongside Isak in attack. No opportunities to score - bar Ramsdale sliding in at feet to clear before he reached a ball through - but a constant thorn in Arsenal’s side. PA

Alexander Isak 7: Early shot deflected out for corner. Silky footwork to beat White in sensational fashion as Newcastle launched one first-half attack. Headed against post just after break. PA

SUBS: Miguel Almiron (On for Murphy 65’) 6: Brought on as Newcastle went hunting for leveller that never came. EPA

Anthony Gordon (On for Wilson 78') - N/A. Getty

Allan Saint-Maximin (On for Willock 77’) N/A. Had one curling effort tipped wide by Ramsdale that was probably just off target anyway after returning to squad from injury. Getty

Elliot Anderson (On for Joelinton 82’) N/A. Reuters Matt Targett (On for Burn 82') N/A.

ARSENAL RATIINGS: Aaron Ramsdale 8: Beaten all ends up by Murphy’s early shot that hit post. Got his angles correct to block shot from Willock. Stunning stop from Schar header in second half and tipped Saint-Maximin effort round post late on. EPA

Ben White 7: Vital tackle to divert early Isak strike out for corner. Skinned by beautiful piece of Isak skill in one Newcastle first-half counter-attack but, overall, will be happy with contribution to clean sheet against team that has been scoring for fun of late. Getty

Gabriel 8: Fit to start, after limping off with ankle injury against Chelsea last time out, and facing a striker on top of his game in Wilson but helped keep the forward quiet, in terms of shots on goal at least. His reaction after final whistle showed the importance of this performance and victory for the Gunners. Getty

Jakub Kiwior 7: Polish defender, making only fourth Premier League appearance, thought he had conceded penalty within 10 minutes until VAR review decided had struck thigh first. Had to be on toes throughout against an in-form home attack. EPA

Oleksandr Zinchenko 5: Allowed Murphy time to shoot as Newcastle man hit post in opening two minutes. Defensive weaknesses exposed by same player just after break as he was left on his backside by Newcastle winger who set up chance for Isak. EPA

Jorginho 8: Starting ahead of Thomas Partey and beaten to first-minute tackle as Newcastle came out of blocks flying. But Italian recovered and helped Arsenal regain foothold in midfield after torrid start to game. Arguably his best game since arriving in January. Reuters

Granit Xhaka 8: Caught in possession in first few minutes that led to chance for Isak. Threaded nice through-ball for Saka that saw attacker's shot saved. One goal-saving recovery tackle on Willock. Annoyed home fans and players by going down injured in first half with no one near him and involved in running battles with several opponents. Getty

Martin Odegaard 9: Drove Arsenal into lead totally against run of play with fine strike in 14th minute, then twice denied by Pope – one a fingertip save, one an excellent block. Won battle of midfield playmakers against Guimaraes with captain's performance. Getty

Bukayo Saka 6: Drilled shot straight at Pope after being put through one-on-one. Went down in agony just before half-time after Guimaraes accidently stood on back of boot but able to carry on. Kept relatively quiet by Burn. Getty

Gabriel Jesus 7: Moaned his way through game - some justified, some not - and involved in shouting match with Trippier as tempers frayed before break. His first shot on goal came in 70th minute when effort from very tight angle spilled by Pope for corner. Getty

Gabriel Martinelli 8: Nearly made it 2-0 to Arsenal but denied goal by boot of Pope. Flashed an effort across face of goal that was neither cross nor shot later in first-half. Curled lovely effort off crossbar just after break. Brilliant wingplay and cross turned into own net by Schar. Getty

SUBS: Kieran Tierney (On for Zinchekno 61’) 8: Man he replaced had been struggling defensively and Scot helped keep things much tighter down Arsenal’s left flank. Gettty

Leandro Trossard (On for Martinelli 78’) N/A. PA

Thomas Partey (On for Odegaard 78’) N/A. AFP

Eddie Nketiah (On for Saka 87’) N/A. Booked in injury-time after shoving match with Schar. Getty

Reiss Nelson (On for Jesus 87’) N/A. Getty

Arteta is confident the likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and William Saliba will follow.

“Delighted with the news for Aaron,” Arteta added. “He fully deserves that new contract, that extension and we want to keep our talent at the club and we want to build on that.

“The way Aaron has developed over the past two years has been exceptional, with his performances, contribution and overall adaptation to the club.

“It's great that we're continuing to build our future with our biggest talents in our young squad. We're all looking forward to enjoying many more years of Aaron the player and the person at the football club.”

As for midfielder Granit Xhaka, who is approaching the final 12 months of his current deal, Arteta revealed that talks will wait until the end of the season.

“He is an incredibly respected figure at the club,” added Arteta. “He has a great story around him with what he has achieved at the club in going through very tough moments and he is a key and very important part of us.

“Whatever happens is something we will discuss, [but] certainly not now.”