Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had no complaints after their 4-1 humbling at Manchester City.
Kevin De Bruyne(2), John Stones and the outstanding Erling Haaland struck for City in the 4-1 rout, with Rob Holding finding the net for Arsenal.
The result hands City the advantage in the title race and Arteta said: "We were beaten by the better team, that's for sure. They were excellent and it is hard to reach that level. We were not at that level today.
"You have to compete and win duels, have to do basics against this team. We didn't do that first half and we were punished. It is very difficult.
"The way we were in the first 20 or 30 minutes they were on top of us and we could not compete in every duel. They were extremely direct and know they are capable of doing that. You have to be in right positions and one v one we were not.
"Today is a very difficult night, the way we lost, but we have to stand up and look at bigger picture.
"The fact we are competing toe to toe with this City team is incredible.
"There are five games to go and anything can happen. Over the years I've seen a lot can happen in this league. We have to accept we lost to an exceptional team.
"At the start of the season they said we'd finish sixth or seventh. The players deserve a lot of credit to be where we are after nine months against this team.
"We played against an exceptional team. But we're an exceptional team as well - but today we weren't at the races.
"They were better in every department. They won every duel. We conceded from a set-play, from a throw-in.
"We wanted to tweak a few things but they scored an early goal. We have to be loyal to what has brought us all this way. We have to look in the mirror to see what we could do better."
