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Mikel Arteta has said he is not concerned by Liverpool's early advantage in the title race after the Reds pulled five points clear at the Premier League summit.
Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Everton on Saturday ramped up the pressure on Arsenal heading into Sunday’s crucial game against Manchester City, and it proved to be an infuriating encounter for the Gunners. But an injury-time Gabriel Martinelli strike quelled some of that anger and earned a point for the London club, with City taking a pragmatic approach and sitting deep for long spells of the game.
The Blues amassed just 32.8 percent possession - the lowest ever for a Pep Guardiola side.
The 1-1 scoreline leaves Arsenal five points behind early pace-setters Liverpool, which has won all five league matches this term. But Arteta, who has been forced to settle for a silver-medal spot in each of the last two seasons, is not worried by the deficit at this early stage of the season.
“We will be fine,” the Spaniard told BBC Sport’s Match of the Day.
“We cannot control that,” he added on Liverpool’s start to the season. “They win every match. It's going to be very difficult but if we play at this level, like we did against Manchester City, we will be fine.”
Arteta also responded to criticism for his perceived negative approach to the game. Arsenal began with a midfield three of Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and Mikel Merino, as was the case at Anfield last month.
The Gunners also started with Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka and Martinelli on the bench, but Arteta justified his cautious tactics after the game.
“It's easy to say that [we lacked ambition], but we started the game very well and completely dominated,” said the former Everton midfielder.
“City scored a goal and then did nothing. Everybody tries to do best to get a result, that's fine. But we controlled the game and dominated, and the second half was the same.
“I'm extremely proud of my players and team, but very disappointed with the result. The pride I feel is that we dominated the game.
“One City chance is a corner, another is a counter-attack and the other is a giveaway. That's it. To keep City to just that, chapeau to the boys.”
After a midweek Carabao Cup tie against Port Vale, Arsenal faces a tricky Premier League trip to Newcastle next Sunday.
By that stage, the Gunners could be eight points behind Liverpool, who play Crystal Palace on Saturday.
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