Arsene Wenger: 'Everton, Southampton on par with Manchester City'

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has played down the significance of his team's 6-3 defeat to Manchester City today, claiming that the Citizens are no more formidable than Everton or Southampton.

The Gunners slumped to the heavy loss to Manuel Pellegrini's men at Eastlands on Saturday afternoon, with Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo firing the hosts into a 2-1 half-time lead.

Fernandinho later bagged a double, with David Silva and Yaya Toure also on target as the Sky Blues move to within three points of Wenger's men at the summit of the Premier League.

Saturday's haul brings City's total to 47 goals in England's top flight - 35 of which have come at home - but the Frenchman claims that Pellegrini's charges are no more fearsome than other teams that they have faced this term.

"City were not unbeatable today," he told reporters. "City are one of the teams to beat this season but not more so than other teams we have played this season.

"We've played Everton who are as good as City. We've played Southampton who are as good as City."

Theo Walcott hit a double in what was the winger's first start since September, while Per Mertesacker was also on target for the North London outfit.