Arsenal boss Unai Emery was defiant in defeat when asked if his side could still secure a top-four finish.
Sergio Aguero scored his 14th City hat-trick as the champions beat Arsenal 3-1 to cut Liverpool’s Premier League lead to two points.
Aguero, who opened the scoring after just 46 seconds, netted all three from close range as City bounced back from their midweek defeat Newcastle with a convincing display at the Etihad Stadium.
Arsenal did pose some awkward questions after finding a quick equaliser through Laurent Koscielny, but two more from Aguero either side of the break put the result beyond doubt.
When asked if his side could still finish in the top four, Emery responded: “Yes. After losing 3-1, it’s not easy to say that, but I have confidence in the work, in the way and I know now, for example, that we need to be calm.”
However, his assessment of the game was that City had simply been better than the Gunners, particularly after the break.
He said: “They showed their superiority over the 90 minutes. The first 45 minutes, we held well for the result and also defending together and counter-attacking, taking chances to be in the match.
“But after 2-1, the second half, they showed their superiority. We couldn’t defend very well and didn’t have chances to get into the box, and I think the result is clear.”