LONDON — Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said it was too soon to talk about his team winning the Premier League title after it beat one of its principle title race rival, Manchester City, 2-1 Monday.
Goals from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud before halftime allowed Arsenal to move to within two points of surprise leader Leicester City and four clear of City ahead of the busy holiday fixture list.
With champion Chelsea seemingly out of the picture after a calamitous start, Manchester United wobbling and Liverpool also off the pace, talk of a first Premier League title since 2003-04 is rife in north London. Wenger, however, is not getting ahead of himself.
“It’s too early to say we can win the league, but it strengthens our belief,” he told reporters. “You realize you earn your right to win these games and for us it is important that we realize that we have to be ready to fight like that in every single game.
“But it is a significant game because when you look at Manchester City and the quality they have on the pitch, we know at the end they will be there fighting for the championship.”
He revealed that Mesut Ozil, who set up both Arsenal’s goals, had barely trained all week because of illness.
“He had a chest infection for the week and was in bed basically,” Wenger added. “So for a guy that could not prepare or work well he has done well physically.”
He also praised the German playmaker’s growing influence as he returns to the kind of form he displayed when he first signed for the Gunners from Real Madrid in 2013.
He has been provided more assists (15) than any other player in England so far this season.
“He is much more mature, much more keen to take responsibility, I personally believe he has developed his physical attributes, his physical commitment. You see his desire to win,” Wenger said.
Wenger’s side certainly had the swagger of champions as it picked City apart with first-half goals while the visitors looked forlorn until Yaya Toure netted with eight minutes remaining.
The goal the game arrived after 33 minutes, but only after City had wasted its best and only chance of the first half.
Kevin De Bruyne, who was freed down the right flank by Sergio Aguero, back after a four-match injury lay-off, cut in on goal but could only flash his shot wide, prompting an exasperated look from David Silva who was waiting for a cross.
That decision was punished less than two minutes later when Mesut Ozil fed Walcott on the left edge of the penalty area and the England forward turned and curled the ball exquisitely into the far corner.
Arsenal’s second arrived in first-half stoppage time as a defensive error from Eliaquim Mangala gifted possession to the host which, via Ozil again, worked the ball to Giroud.
The Frenchman had little goal to aim at but fired his left footed effort low beneath England keeper Joe Hart for his 10th league goal of the season.
