Mikel Arteta makes new Arsenal title statement amid Man City challenge: 'We have to suffer' | OneFootball

Gunners reclaim top spot from Man City thanks to a nervy win over Brighton

Mikel Arteta has said Arsenal are up for the challenge of competing with Manchester City for the Premier League title.

Not for the first time in recent weeks, Arteta’s side were not at their fluent best and were made to sweat for the win after Diego Gomez had pulled one back for Brighton before David Raya made a stunning save to deny Yankuba Minteh an equaliser.

Ultimately, Arsenal held on for victory and clinched a result to ensure they remain two points above Man City at the top of the table.

Arsenal will have the chance to put pressure on Man City as they play first - at home to Aston Villa - in the next round of Premier League fixtures and Arteta is confident his side can rise to the challenge.

Speaking after the win over Brighton, Arteta said: “We can only control what we do, and we are doing a lot of good things that I think we have to improve as well to have the margins better.

“We need more players back as well to have better options and maintain the team very, very fresh.

“Every three days is going to be a challenge, and we are up for it.”

Martin Odegaard scored his first goal of the season as Arsenal overcame Brighton

AFP via Getty Images

Gomez’s goal just after the hour mark set up a platform for a nervy finish at the Emirates Stadium especially with Arsenal’s recent habit of conceding late goals.

Arteta picked up on the nervousness inside the ground but has put down to the desire from all connected to the club wanting to win.

“That's a willingness to win! We all want to win so badly,” the Spaniard added.

“Now I don't want to lose what I have and we have to play to continue to score and show that composure and that ability and we should have scored the third one. We have two massive chances to put it to 3-1 and then it would have been different.

“We haven't, so we have to suffer a little bit more.”