Manchester City coach Manuel Pellegrini commented after the Citizens fell short at the Emirates 2-1 and let Arsenal 4 points in front:
“I am thinking about the future not the past. We have 63 points more to win. I think the way we played in the second half we are going to be an important team in fighting for the title.
In the second half we took more risks, we created a lot of chances, we had more possession, we had lots of shots but in a match this important you can’t make mistakes.
“We played better than Arsenal but for the second goal we made a mistake and that was decisive. I am very proud of the attitude of the team though. We kept fighting until the end and never gave up.”
A major positive for City tonight was the return of Sergio Aguero. This was the Argentinian’s first start since limping out of the victory over Southampton on the 28thNovember.
“I think that it was important for Sergio to return to the team. Maybe he needs a few more matches to return to his form but it was important for the team that he played tonight.
Former Arsenal player Bacary Sagna added:
“It’s hard to take, I think we started the game really well, we had possession of the ball, and on their first shot they scored.So it was a bit against the game but we had to keep going to defend well as a team and we conceded before half time.
“So it makes it difficult against a quality team. Now we have to keep our heads up because they are creating a gap. We have to keep the head up, keep working hard and bounce back in the next game.
We conceded two goals and as a defender I can’t be happy about that. But we need to communicate a bit more, to focus a bit more and to stick together as team a bit more and I think it will be okay.”
