Wayne Rooney insists Arsenal are STILL title favourites despite Man City defeat

Arsenal’s hopes of ending their two-decade wait for a Premier League title took another significant blow in their defeat at the Etihad Stadium but Wayne Rooney believes all is not lost.

Wayne Rooney believes Arsenal remain in pole position for the Premier League title despite their potentially pivotal defeat to Manchester City. Mikel Arteta’s side slipped to a 2-1 defeat on Sunday afternoon - goals from Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland helping City to victory.

Their win sees Arsenal’s advantage reduced to just three points with six games left to play, albeit Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in-hand against relegation-threatened Burnley.

Despite that, Rooney still believes that Arsenal are best placed to secure the title. Speaking after City’s win at the Etihad, he said: “This title race is not over yet, I still feel like there are some more twists and turns to come.

“It is obviously going to be tight but City have got one more game to try to win, so I still have Arsenal down as slight favourites. I've been in this situation myself, where you need to win all your games for the title.

“You look at your games and you think well we should win this one, or that one, but it never pans out that way. From now until the end of the season it is just going to be down to which team keeps their composure the best - that's who will win it.”

Both managers also gave their verdicts on the title race after Sunday’s potentially decisive game. City boss Guardiola spoke out and agreed with Rooney’s claim.

He said: "Two teams with really top managers. And top, top players from both sides. But now it's every three days, it's so demanding.

"But the reality is just one thing: they are top of the league. One ahead on goal difference. We have to enjoy it, celebrate it, take the good things. But don't lose the focus. In three days we go to Burnley."

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta also gave his thoughts on the race for the title and claimed that his side are not losing hope. He said: "We take it game by game.

“We had very good moments a few days ago in the Champions League against Sporting. We are playing so many games. We are the only team that's playing, playing, playing and playing. But the positive thing is we have seen the level, we can cope with that, and not just that but do even better.

"There are five games to go, but we're going to give a real go for it. We have full belief we can do it. Today we have shown the team that we are. It's still in our hands, and it's there for the taking."