By Tom Gott
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has claimed Arsenal simply did not have the right mentality to win the Premier League title this season.
City won their fourth consecutive title on Sunday, ending two points clear of Arsenal after both sides won their respective games on the final day of the season.
After the dust had settled, Rodri was keen to recognise Arsenal's quality but pointed to their performance against City in March's goalless draw as evidence that the Gunners are not yet ready to lift the trophy.
Asked for the secret to City's success, Rodri told Optus Sport: "To be honest, I think it's in [the mind]. It's the mentality.
"Arsenal, also they deserve [to win the league], they did an unbelievable season, but I think the difference was in here [pointing to his head again].
"When they came here, they faced us at the Etihad, I saw them and said: 'Ah, these guys, they don't want to beat us, they just want a draw'. And that mentality, I don't think we would do it the same way.
"And we caught them. At the end, if you give us one point, we will win the last seven, eight games even though it's so tough. So I think it comes down to mentality."
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted his side needed to show even more ambition next season if they are to finally topple City at the top of the standings.
"[City] took it away from us," he said. "It's the second season.
"There's only one way to do it - you have to be more determined, you have to be more ambitious, you have to have a lot of courage and push every limit in everything that we have. That's the next step.
"If we do what we have to do, we're going to be closer and at the end we'll win it. When? I don't know, but if we keep knocking and being that close, in the end it will happen."
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Rodri aims brutal dig at Arsenal after Premier League title triumph.
