Mikel Arteta downplays Arsenal win as Gunners move level with Man City

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has played down the impact of his side's dramatic last-minute win over Leicester, insisting the season is still in its early stages despite the win, meaning they are keeping pace with Manchester City at the top of the table.

After an intense encounter which saw first half goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard matched by a James Justin double for the Foxes, there was late drama with Trossard's fortuitous volley deflected by Wilfred Ndidi and a Kai Havertz's final strike in added time securing a goal. Triumphed 4-2.

Asked if this narrow victory had an added sweetness due to City's fall to Newcastle, Arteta replied with characteristic calm: “It's the sixth Premier League game. It's September.

“We want to win every game. We do our best to do that and we take it game by game and try to improve every week. But no matter what we do, it's September.

“Of course we want to create the right platform for the season and to do that we need to keep winning, winning, winning.

“It’s the requirement when you see the level of other Premier League teams. But we can only control what we do.”

With little time to rest, the Gunners prepare for a tight schedule as they face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League shortly after enduring their sixth match in just 17 days.

Trossard made a triumphant return to the Arsenal team, playing a central role in their victory just six days after being sent off in the 2-2 draw against City.

He said: “Obviously we've had a tough run of games, but we've done really well, scored some good points on the road and we're just happy to win after a tough game.

“I had some good chances and when the ball doesn't go in you have to keep believing. Everyone kept believing and pushing to create chances. That's what we need.”

Trossard also highlighted the team's resilience, adding: “If it doesn't go the way you want it to, you have to keep attacking and that's what we did. In the end, luck was on our side.

“It shows how united the team is. It's a great team. We're happy and now we have a big game on Tuesday.”