Mikel Arteta warns Man City that Arsenal will fight until the death to win the Premier League title but admits relief after dramatic 3-2 victory at Tottenham kept them in top spot

Mikel Arteta has warned Manchester City that Arsenal will fight to the death to win the Premier League title.

The Gunners survived a late scare at Tottenham on Sunday after taking a 3-0 lead against their arch-rivals to retain their place at the top of the table with a gutsy win.

City remain favorites to win the title, which would be their fourth successive championship, but when asked if his players were prepared to fight until the ‘last minute’ to claim their first top-flight win in 20 years, Arteta replied: ‘Yes, 100 per cent. I’ve seen that all season.

‘They give me reason to believe that every day. We are right about it.

‘The motivation for what awaits us is wonderful. We all expect them to really try.

Bukayo Saka was on target in the league leaders’ nervous 3-2 win over rivals Tottenham

‘I have so much confidence in the players. They give me no reason (to doubt). Emotionally it was a very demanding month, but on Saturday I had to hold them back during training because they wanted more. That is a good sign.’

After a run of three games without a win, which saw them crash out of the Champions League and cast doubt on their title credentials, Arsenal have now recorded three consecutive Premier League wins.

Asked the secret of their response, Arteta said: “First of all, it’s about how much you want it and how much they want it.

‘Don’t feel sorry for yourself. It’s part of the journey. When you’re at the highest level, you’re going to have disappointments.

‘At this level the margins are so small and they will not always apply to you. Then it’s about how you respond to it.

‘Take up the challenge, see the opportunity. I think this team has a lot of courage and determination to make this happen.

Arsenal’s victory left them at the top of the table, narrowly ahead of champions City

Arteta has insisted he expects his players to give their title a ‘real go’ in their final games

Son Heung-min’s late penalty set up a grandstand finish, but Arsenal survived to take the win

‘But at the end of the day you can’t pretend you come here, don’t suffer and play Spurs off the park. It’s not happening.

‘You only have to look at their performances against the other top teams to prove that, because they are a really good team.’

On his team’s nervous side, Arteta added: ‘I was praying. There were so many Spurs players in the penalty area. It was a very emotional match.

‘A very difficult place to get to, an incredible atmosphere and a great team to play against. With 3-0 you are in control of the match, you come in the second half and we dominate the match and create chances. an individual error happens that causes something to be clicked.

‘It sends the wrong message to your brain. Then we started to handle the situation better, but they got another one and then the game was on.

‘Then they have the players and the courage to bring many players forward. We had to intervene, suffer and respond. I’m very happy with the way the team did.”