( CNN ) -- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has conceded the London club 's bid to win a first English Premier League title since 2004 is over following Sunday 's 1-0 defeat at table-topping Manchester City . A second-half goal from Spain midfielder David Silva was enough to send City back above arch-rivals Manchester United at the summit , 12 points ahead of Arsenal in fifth position . `` Unfortunately for us it was a match that we could n't afford to lose because it puts us too much behind City , '' the Frenchman told the Premier League 's official website . `` If we had won the game we would have come back to six points , but at the moment we 're too far behind . It will be very difficult to close the gap now but we will try . '' Arsenal had won seven of the last eight league games prior to defeat at the Etihad Stadium , climbing back into contention for a top-four finish and a place in the European Champions League . It followed a disastrous start to the season which saw the 13-time English champions hammered 8-2 by United in addition to suffering defeats to Blackburn , Liverpool and north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in their first seven games . `` This was a match we could n't afford to lose and that 's why it 's difficult to take , '' Wenger said . `` On the other hand we will continue to fight and there are a lot of positives . `` We have made a lot of progress since August and the team can be proud of that . The way we played is encouraging , but at the moment we need encouragement and points , and we only got encouragement . '' Arsenal faced a defensive injury crisis ahead of Sunday 's match as injuries to the Andre Santos , Kieran Gibbs , Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson left Wenger without a fit fullback . `` I must say we have four fullbacks out and the first injury we get in the game is a fullback . It 's not only down to resources , you can not buy 17 fullbacks anyway . `` That 's why I think we 've been a bit unlucky . But I think it was a match that could 've gone both ways . It was very intense with both teams going for it and I feel we were a bit unfortunate . '' Arsenal will look to bounce back from Sunday 's loss in Wednesday 's trip to Aston Villa , while Manchester City host Stoke .
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says his team are out of the EPL title race . London club beaten 1 - 0 by leaders Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium . London 's defeat leaves Arsenal fifth , 12 points behind Roberto Mancini 's City .