'Not over' - Arteta sends defiant Arsenal title message

The Gunners may have lost the top spot in the standings to Man City, but they refuse to raise the white flag.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta refuses to accept that their Premier League dreams have been dashed, declaring firmly: “This title race is not over.”

This season, Arsenal have held the top spot for a remarkable 247 days, but are now second in the standings after Manchester City defeated Fulham 2-1 at the weekend.

“Now it is not in our hands,” Arteta said in a press conference on Monday.

“What is in our hands is to win our games. That’s what we try to do and the rest is down to City. I know what we’re trying to do. We have the nicest part of the season to play with five games to go. This is not over. I would pay a lot of money to be in this position next season, believe me.”

Arsenal have five games left, with the first one coming up on Tuesday at home to Chelsea. To win the title, the Gunners can’t afford to drop any more points. They must also hope City slip up – at least twice.