Will lack of a ruthless match-winner cost Arsenal the title?

But, despite scoring 18 goals in all competitions this season, there are still questions about whether the 27-year-old is suited to Arsenal and can produce what the Gunners need from him.

"That's really difficult," Arteta said when asked how he could make his players more ruthless.

"I mean we hit the post and I just look at the images. It's incredible how the ball doesn't go in.

"So there is an element of luck. There is an element there of timing, of execution. It's a lot of things that have to be your way.

"They didn't go our way and we have to recognise that at the end, winning and not winning is going to come down to these moments."

Arsenal forwards struggle

It is rare for a team to be challenging for the title without a forward in the conversation for team of the season, but that is where Arsenal are.

City's Haaland and Antoine Semenyo will undoubtedly be in contention for end-of-season awards, while past title-winners have boasted the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero and Didier Droga.

Arsenal's available forward options of Gyokeres, Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, Eze and Gabriel Jesus undoubtedly have their strengths - but it feels a stretch to call any of them ruthless match-winners.

The all-round play of Gyokeres has been questioned and he is often only effective against sides who are not at the top end of the table.

Havertz's opening goal was his first of the season, Leandro Trossard has not scored for 22 games, Madueke has two league goals, while Eze has six - but five of those have come in two matches against rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsenal were also without Bukayo Saka, who missed out with an Achilles injury, but despite usually being one of Arsenal's most reliable forwards, his numbers are down this season.

Arteta's side have been criticised throughout the season for their style of play with their strengths being their threat from set-pieces and their excellence in defending the cornerstones.

At times throughout the season, Arsenal have struggled to create chances - which is reflected in their goals from open play.

Arsenal have 35.8 expected goals from open play this season - sixth in the league. Manchester City are second (42.1) with Chelsea top (43.2).

"Teams were starting to get scared of Arsenal's set-pieces," former Arsenal defender Gael Clichy said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

"This is great when you get points but the more and more time goes on, you start to rely on this and start to feel comfortable with this.

"You don't concede many goals, you don't create many goals but you get those chances where you feel like you are going to score.

"The message you are giving is 'don't worry guys, stay strong and if we get set-pieces we can count on that'."

And the former defender thinks if Arsenal played with a different style, their forwards would flourish.

"The more time that goes on, the less you think about how you are going to create and hurt people," he said.

"It's not about playing 'free football' and scoring five goals but I do feel with the players they signed over the summer, they could damage any team if you give them that freedom.

"I have just felt over the last few weeks, it feels like they are just not trying to make mistakes rather than trying to take risks and going for the win."

Can Arsenal win without a forward on form?

The good news for Arteta and Arsenal is that despite losing, the title challenge is still in their hands - even if momentum is with City.

The Arsenal manager said his side are "more convinced" they can get over the line after their defeat.

"They were talking about it in the dressing room," Arteta said. "They have a game in hand. We have three points [more] and five games to play.

"So everything is still to play for. We're not going to stop and we're going to go again, that's for sure."

With five games to go and with goal difference potentially playing a crucial part in deciding where the title goes, Arteta will hope he can get one of his forwards into killer form.