Arteta must prove he won't be remembered as Arsenal's 'nearly man'

Arteta must prove he won't be remembered as Arsenal's 'nearly man'To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedMedia caption, Premier League highlights: Manchester City 2-1 ArsenalByPhil McNultyChief football writer at Etihad StadiumPublished4 minutes ago2 CommentsMikel Arteta was doing the rounds consoling his devastated Arsenal players when a giant banner was unfurled in front of him at Etihad Stadium, emblazoned with the words: "Panic on the streets of London".It dropped down from the stands seconds after Manchester City secured a thrilling 2-1 win against the Gunners that moves them to within three points of the long-time Premier League leaders, with a game in hand.Arteta may not be familiar with the work and words of the great Manchester band The Smiths - but it was sending a brutal message to Arsenal and their manager that all their fine work so far this season is now in danger of falling away in this unforgiving test of nerve.Arsenal still narrowly have the superior goal difference (+37 to +36), but with Manchester City's game in hand at doomed Burnley, this could all change.Manchester City's win was by no means a decisive one in the title race, but it did not stop it feeling like a defining one.For context, Arsenal still lead the Premier League and have just reached the semi-final of the Champions League for the second successive season.And for long periods of an enthralling encounter, Arsenal matched Manchester City every inch of the way before Erling Haaland once again made a crucial contribution with the winner.This was a resilient display to answer the allegations that Arsenal are "chokers" - but the bottom line is this was still a defeat that maintains Manchester City's momentum while increasing unease in north London.If the home loss to Bournemouth resembled a failure of nerve, this defeat did not. Arsenal could easily have earned a crucial point and...