Arteta: We wanted to keep the dream alive until final day

happens.” Manchester City thumped Fulham 4-0 on Saturday to extend their unbeaten run in the league to 21 matches, and their goal difference is now only three worse than Arsenal’s.

Mikel Arteta (below), however, is not losing hope that Guardiola’s men could slip up at Spurs or when they welcome West Ham on Sunday.

“Any team can beat any team,” he said. “I lived it in various scenarios in the last day when a lot of teams have necessities.

“The margin of respect everybody puts in the games is phenomenal. We know we need a result.

“We need to do our own thing in the last game. But today we wanted to open that box of dreams to live the last day in front of our people with the opportunity to win the Premier League.

“That’s something we’re going to live together and I’m so pleased we’re gonna do it with these players and staff.”

Arsenal were not at their best against United and won thanks to a solitary goal from Leandro Trossard. It was just their second win in 17 league matches at Old Trafford.

“We are happy because it wasn’t easy today to come here and to take the points,” said Saliba. “It was a long time that we hadn’t taken the three points here.

“We weren’t so good today, we suffer a lot. But we took the three points and let’s move to next week. When we are not at our best, we have to stay compact and suffer until the end. We did well.

“It was another strong performance defensively. It’s not only the defence, it’s everyone, the midfield and the attackers.

“We defend all together and we have to be happy to keep a clean sheet, because it’s not every time they don’t score here. We are so happy and we need to keep going.”