Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admitted that Arsenal were better than his side during Saturday's Premier League clash.
The north Londoners came out of the blocks flying before Bukayo Saka broke the deadlock, turning in a Kieran Tierney cross just after the half-hour mark.
City then equalised early in the second half, with Riyad Mahrez converting a penalty after Granit Xhaka had brought Bernardo Silva down in the box.
Guardiola's men then netted a late winner as Spanish midfielder Rodri poked home from close range to clinch all three points for the reigning Premier League champions.
Despite the victory, Guardiola admitted that the Gunners were the better team on the day, claiming that their fresh legs gave them an advantage over the Citizens, who had played just three days earlier.
“Just take a look at our bench, four players from the academy. We had many cases for Covid and injuries. Phil Foden… Kyle and Rodri were first days today from Covid time,” Guardiola told BT Sport after the game.
“In this period today, we were incredibly tired. Arsenal were better today but football happens.
“Congratulations, they were better. We face a team who struggled to be in top four and start the season at the bottom. Now they are in the top four.
“They had six or seven days since the last game at Norwich. We had two days since Brentford and come back and didn’t have a team.
"That’s why we put one more player in the middle.
“To have more control and passes. We know in the transitions with Saka and Martinelli, contact with Lacazette. Should be difficult and it was difficult, we didn’t have energy."
