Aaron Ramsdale says Arsenal must aspire to reach the level set by Manchester City as they continue to develop under Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners were torn apart by City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, with the 4-1 defeat leaving Pep Guardiola’s side in pole position in the Premier League title race.
City are now just two points behind leaders Arsenal with two games in hand and can knock the Gunners off top spot with a win at Fulham on Sunday.
Ramsdale insists Arsenal will not throw in the towel in the title run-in but he believes City have shown the level they need to reach.
“This is a team we want to be like and be competing on all fronts, like they are at the minute,” said the Arsenal goalkeeper.
“They have been one of the best teams in the League in the past five years along with Liverpool. They could potentially do a Treble. They are in the Champions League quarters, semis, finals most seasons, pushing for the Premier League.
“We want to get to the same sort of level as Manchester City, doing it our own way and competing in four competitions like they are.”
Guardiola insists the title race is not over yet but, after watching City humble Arsenal, he believes their next three matches will be crucial to their chances of getting over the line.
City travel to Craven Cottage this weekend, with Arsenal next playing Chelsea on Tuesday. The champions are at home to West Ham on Wednesday and then host Leeds next Saturday.
City secured victory last night thanks to a header from John Stones, Erling Haaland’s 49th goal of the season and a double from Kevin De Bruyne.
Ramsdale said: “We are going to be disappointed now, but we have not played nine months of Premier League football, and played the way we’ve wanted to play, to give up with five games to go. If something is going to happen in football, it is going to be this League that it’ll happen in. It might not do, but stranger things have happened in the Premier League.
“We have got five games left, we want to win five games and we will see how that ends at the end of the season.”
De Bruyne was described as “unstoppable” by Guardiola and tempers flared after the full-time whistle when Ben White and City substitute Phil Foden clashed.
The pair had to be pulled apart at the end of a sorry night for Arsenal.
The Gunners barely laid a glove on City and centre-backs Gabriel and Rob Holding particularly struggled to deal with Haaland.
Arsenal manager Arteta indicated his side may need to win all five remaining matches to have a chance of their first title since 2004.
“I think so,” said Arteta. “The better team won the game.
“City were probably at their best, especially in the first half, and we were nowhere near our level. I don’t think we were scared, but the way we started the game didn’t help us.
“We lost all the races, the first and second balls, they were better in every department, more aggressive, they won every single duel, and when that happens it opens space to attack and that created uncertainty. We could not grab the game and they won it, and they were really good.”
After the Chelsea game, Arsenal go to Newcastle on the Sunday. They are then at home to Brighton, away to Nottingham Forest and finish at home to Wolves.
Guardiola said: “It doesn’t decide the title, but it was very important to beat our rival. If Arsenal had won, the destiny would be in their hands.”
