Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admits his players are floored after last night's 3-3 draw with Southampton.
Two late goals rescued a point for the Gunners to leave them five points clear from Manchester City, though having played a game more.
Arteta said, "It was a very emotional game, I'm disappointed that we didn't get the three points. After all that happened in the game I still believe that we deserved them. We have to look in the mirror. We gave three easy goals away again. When that's the case it's really difficult to win this league.
"They want it so much. What I've experienced with the players, the staff, our supporters, it's incredible. I know how difficult it is. You make a big mistake and 1-0. You make another and 2-0. You're trying to just play and play and play against a team that is doing what they have to do because of where they are. After the first time they go through the halfway line they score the third one and it is a big question mark, what do you as a team and as individuals.
"The response of the players, I cannot love them more. It's just a joy to coach them. It's just a joy to be part of this club and experience what I have experienced together with the team. At the end the magic moment was there to be taken. We had two big chances at 3-3 to score, today it didn't happen unfortunately. That's why we were like that.
Asked if his players had become carried away with the title race, Arteta insisted: "They are [on the ground]. We have talked about that. It's about playing the game not the occasion. We started to play the game and this happens. It happens in football at critical moments. What can you do? Then as well they tried to keep playing, playing, playing and you see what you saw on that pitch, the situations, chances and what they're able to transmit to the crowd to get where we were.
"At the end it's tough because you see them on the floor, you have to leave them. Everybody has to disconnect tonight, digest and start to think 'what's the best way to go to Manchester to beat them'?"
