Mikel Arteta struck three minutes from time to send the Gunners two points clear of Tottenham in third place as Arsenal cemented their UEFA Champions League berth.

It was a win that effectively ended City's title hopes but the Frenchman preferred to concentrate on what was a big performance from his side.

Wenger said: "It was a very well-taken goal. I think it gave us three points that we deserved because we dominated the game.

"They had one or two good periods but overall, after 10 minutes in the second half, it was all us.

"I always felt the goal would come. We kept going and at home recently we have produced some outstanding performances.

"We have taken 24 points out of 27 so we have improved as a team, that is for sure. If we had not lost our games in January, we could be there (challenging)."

Wenger was critical of Mario Balotelli, who was sent off late on but might have been dismissed earlier for a high challenge on Alex Song.

"If the referee had television, he would have given him a red card," the Frenchman added. "I thought it was a bad tackle.

"I said to my physio, 'What happened to Song?' because he said he was touched at the knee."

Unlike his Manchester City counterpart Roberto Mancini, Wenger said he could sense Balotelli was on the edge.

"He flirted with 'orange' a few times," he said, refusing to be drawn on how he would handle the explosive forward.

"I don't know him and it's not my job to do that. I don't want to interfere with Mancini's job.

"Everybody has his cases in his own camp and I have enough work."