Arsenal sent Man City reminder Mikel Arteta must be wary of amid Premier League title battle

Arsenal were boosted on Saturday following Premier League action in which they secured a 5-0 away win over Burnley whilst rivals Manchester City dropped points in their home clash with Chelsea.The Gunners moved into second place and their goal difference rose to five better than Pep Guardiola’s side and one above Liverpool who remain two points ahead.

Mikel Arteta remains calm over the club’s title chances, preferring to focus on simply the next game as opposed to looking further ahead. On the horizon lies the pivotal clash with Manchester City at the end of March, however, there remain tests with Newcastle United and Chelsea to come – with a Champions League last-16 tie with FC Porto inter-spliced between them.

“We cannot think about that, we have to think about playing with energy, with enthusiasm and aggression in every game,” Arteta said following the Burnley win. “There’s still so far [to go] – the only thing is to maintain this momentum, to earn the right to win games and the focus is there. What is coming afterwards, we’ll see.”

There is good reason for this because he will know too well what happened on this date one year ago. Arsenal were in a great position having just won 4-2 at Aston Villa thanks to two late goals from Emi Martinez (own goal) and Gabriel Martinelli.

On the way home, the team watched on as Nottingham Forest took two points off rivals Manchester City. A jubilant evening of fan celebrations commenced as they made their way back from Villa Park.

However, this day would mark the final time that Man City would drop points in the league. Guardiola’s side would mechanically and monotonously secure victory in every single game until Arsenal would themselves lose at the City Ground to crown their rivals