It wasn't pretty, but Man City managed to pull out three points against Arsenal on Saturday thanks to a winner at the death from Rodri. However, Citizens boss Pep Guardiola firmly believed the better side lost in this fixture.

Via BBC Sport:

“Arsenal were better. We face a team that in recent years has struggled to be in the top four. They start this season bottom, bottom, bottom,” Guardiola said.

“They have six days after beating Norwich, we have two days. It was so tough for us to come back. We had no energy. This is why we put one more player in the middle to get more control and passes,” the Man City gaffer continued.

“We know in transitions and physicality they have it can be difficult. And it was difficult. We tried and in one minute we have a penalty and then the red card. We’ll try to analyse many things but sometimes the coin falls on your side. We know what it means to beat Arsenal here in this moment they are in. Now we have time to rest.”

Man City was far from convincing but Guardiola simply put it down to how tired the squad is. Arsenal's last game against Wolves was postponed due to COVID, which means they had six days to rest The Citizens played just two days ago in a 1-0 victory over Brentford. The Spaniard made it clear that his team had limited bench options as well due to COVID, with four academy players amongst their possible substitutes.

Bukayo Saka fired the Gunners ahead in the first half before Riyad Mahrez converted from the spot early in the second period thanks to a foolish decision from Granit Xhaka. With Rodri saving the day in the 93rd minute, Man City now sits 11 points clear at the top of the table ahead of a massive clash between Liverpool and Chelsea on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.