'It's not over by a stretch' - Sutton

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Manchester City could "galvanise and strengthen" the current Premier League leaders going into the final five games of the season.

Manchester City closed the gap at the top of the table to just three points, with a game in hand, after securing victory at Etihad Stadium.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club about the Gunners' current chances of winning the Premier League, Sutton said: "I didn't feel that Arsenal were bad against Manchester City at all. I didn't feel that they felt inferior.

"They hit the post twice, they carried a threat and they were brave in the way they played.

"But with Arsenal losing that game, everybody is talking like the league is over and Manchester City will just go on and romp it now.

"However, if you're balanced and you look at the fixtures, it isn't over by a stretch. Arsenal are really capable of winning all of their last five games.

"I don't think they were psychologically damaged by the defeat - and we would be talking differently had Kai Havertz buried his header at the end, as he should've done.

"It really didn't feel like I was watching an Arsenal team who felt they were inferior. In fact, the loss might galvanise the team and really strengthen them."

Former Premier League winger Andros Townsend disagreed, adding: "If this game was in October or November, you could take the positives of the performance.

"But when you're in the run-in, unfortunately it is all about results. The fact that it's now in Manchester City's hands as well as Arsenal's, you can't really take many positives from that."

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[BBC]

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