Wenger plays down Arsenal's title challenge

London: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his side's 1-0 Premier League loss to Manchester City was a must-win game and admits it will be "difficult" for his team to mount a serious title challenge come May.

The Gunners fell to a David Silva goal early in the second half and despite playing their part in an enthralling game, they couldn’t force an equaliser.

Wenger was disappointed not to have won the game but insists his team will continue to fight until the end.

"Unfortunately for us it was a game we couldn't afford to lose because it puts us too much [behind]. If we had won the game it would’ve come back to six points and with players coming back we would have a better squad in the second half of the season,” he told reporters.

"It will be difficult to close the gap on City but we will try. It's difficult to take but we'll continue to fight.

"There are a lot of positives; I feel the team has made a lot of progress since August and they can be proud of it. The team has a fantastic spirit and they have shown that again today. Let's hope we can continue our progress and get closer to City.

"It is encouraging [that we got close to City] but at the moment we need encouragement and points and we got only encouragement."

Wenger's plans were thrown into disarray early in the second half as Johan Djourou – primarily a centre-half – was forced off with an injury leading to a complete reshuffle at the back, which disrupted the team.

The Frenchman added: "It was very intense with both teams going for it and I feel we were a bit unlucky. Their keeper had a good game and we had to reshuffle completely at the back in a position where we’re already short and we paid too much for that.

"We have four full-backs out and the first injury we get in the game was a full-back. It's not only down to resources – you can't buy 17 full-backs anyway."

Arsenal were denied a penalty with ten minutes to go after the ball appeared to strike Micah Richards in the arm and Wenger was adamant a spot kick should have been awarded.

"Yes, I haven't seen it but Van Persie is adamant, 100 per cent penalty. Decisions didn't go for us and we were unlucky but we have to take it on the chin," he continued.