'Arsenal have messed up recently, but not this time'

[BBC]

I have heard lots of criticism of Arsenal recently - how they have bottled it in games or are falling away again when it matters - but that was certainly not the case on Sunday.

It was a disappointing result for them, but when they review this game in the cold light of day they cannot be disappointed with the performance.

They had a real go at Manchester City in the second half and created some really good chances.

Gabriel came within the width of a post of making it 2-2 and Eberechi Eze came even closer when he hit the inside of the upright. If the ball goes across the line instead of bouncing along it, then it is Arsenal who are ahead.

On a different day they could easily have won this game, they would be nine points clear and we would all be saying the title race is done.

The reason Arsenal will be kicking themselves is because we did not see this intensity when they lost at home to Bournemouth last week.

Maybe that was because they are playing a lot of games at the moment and energy was a factor, but I think it is more to do with mindset.

You know as a player that when you play City away you have got to be at it, and you find the extra you need physically and mentally to match them. You have to, because you know how good they are.

It is different when you are at home to a team like Bournemouth on a sunny afternoon and part of you is thinking 'we are better than these'.

You expect to be beating them and, when you are not, you have got to somehow find a way within a game to change momentum.

I was at Emirates Stadium for the Bournemouth game, and I did not see the energy and urgency from Arsenal that I saw at Etihad Stadium.

Yes, Arsenal have messed up recently, but not this time.

Read more from Danny on the title race here