Mikel Arteta insists seven-point lead over City 'means nothing' as Arsenal improve title challenge

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League makes no sense after his side's win at Brighton put them even further ahead champions Manchester City.

The Gunners won a thrilling game on the south coast 4-2, scoring three goals early in the second half before a frantic end to the game.

"[They were] really tricky opponents," Arteta told BBC Sport. "Tonight we needed to have a great performance to win against a really good Brighton side and I think we did that. We had to dig in too.

"They dominate a lot of play. They do a lot of things but we did a lot of things well today to earn the right to win.

"Martin Odegaard has had great times. He is producing at the right time.

"[We have] a lot of things to improve, especially in the defensive moments. We still have room to improve.

"We knew the result [of City's game] but the boost is that we have to come here and win and to do that we have to play at the highest level in the league.

"It doesn't mean anything because our only goal is to get better again."

The Arsenal boss added to Sky Sports: "A big win against a very good team. We were ruthless and clinical and there were also times when we had to dig in and suffer because that they are a very good team. It was a big test for us.

"We were a real threat every time we were in the final third."

After a seven-point lead, Arteta said: "We have to play every game, now we have to focus again and review the game to see what we did well and what we can improve.

"We know what happened, but we have to focus on what we can do, which is to come here against a tough team and win.

"We have enough desire. Our success will depend on what we have to do. This is what we want and we must continue to improve as a team, play better and dominate in all areas. "

Captain Martin Odegaard scored the second of the night and provided an incredible assist for Gabriel Martinelli to put Arsenal 4-1 up.

The Norwegian playmaker insists the team always focus on themselves and pay no attention to City, even if they drop points like they did today at home against Everton struggling.

“To be honest, we focus on ourselves,” Odegaard said. "We don't care about other teams.

"Three points was all today and we did it. Maybe we should control the game a bit better, we let them in a few times, but they're a good team, good ball at the foot.

He added: "I'm happy to help the team with goals and assists and I'm very happy to do it again.

On his assist to Martinelli, Odegaard said: "I saw there was a lot of space behind and our wingers are so fast. It's not easy to stop Gabriel Martinelli in this position ."

Bukayo Saka was also on the scoresheet and was asked about Arsenal's seven-point advantage over Pep Guardiola's side.

"It sounds amazing," he said. "Of course, at the start of the season, if you had asked us if we wanted this, we would have bitten your hands, so we are really happy.

"We know how difficult it is to come here. The first goal set us up. I couldn't believe it fell for me. I showed composure to fit it in farthest corner and I'm glad it is.

"It's a great opportunity that we have, a great place that we've settled into. We're focused on ourselves, we're just focused on our next game. We know how good Newcastle are, so that's our focus now."

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