WATCH | 'We could have been punished even more,' Arteta admits after Man City humiliate Arsenal

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta admitted that they could have been "punished even more" by Manchester City following their 4-1 defeat to the defending English Premier League champions on Wednesday.

Kevin de Bruyne scored twice, Erling Haaland and John Stones nabbed a goal each for City, while Rob Holding netted Arsenal's only goal of a miserable Arsenal night but a jubilant one for City.

READ | Man City seize momentum of Premier League title race after masterclass over Arsenal

"Well, the analysis is clear. The better team won the game," Arteta said.

"They were probably at their best, especially in the first half. And we were nowhere near our level.

"And, when that happens, the gap becomes too big. The first 30 minutes all the basic things you have to do against an exceptional team, in terms of competing, winning duels, understanding what the game requires, we didn’t do it.

"And we got punished and we could have been punished even more."

City’s win leaves them just two points behind Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table but with two matches in hand and all the momentum with the sky blues.