Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta knows it will take time for his side to get to the level Manchester City are at.
The Gunners' faint Premier League title hopes went with a whimper after a 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest handed City a fifth crown in six years.
Arsenal were insatiable for most of the campaign, spending 248 days on top of the table, and held an eight-point lead over City in March, but an alarming slide has seen them win just two of their last eight games.
That allowed them to be overtaken by Pep Guardiola's relentless juggernaut, who have won 11 games in a row.
The Spaniard says Arsenal have to find a way to compete with City but it will not be a quick fix.
"This is my job, this is our job, and this is what this club deserves," Arteta said.
"It wasn't enough. I know we're not at that level, but we have to find a way. This is not enough. It's not going to change in three months time. We need to be at that level but we need to find other ways to do it.
"For example at Forest we needed to play much better. This is my responsibility.
"That's why we have to push for that to happen. That's not going to happen if we don't make a lot of right decisions and think smart and have the mentality every day to get to that level."
As Arsenal look towards how to close the gap in the future, Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan praised a collective effort from his side.
Unbeaten in their last 23 games through all competitions, City have also reached the finals of both the FA Cup and Champions League as they remain on course for the treble.
The club have been charged by the Premier League with 115 alleged breaches of financial rules between 2009 and 2018. An independent commission will rule on the charges, which could see City docked points or even expelled from the Premier League if proven.
"To have helped the club win a third straight Premier League title is something very special," Gundogan said on the Manchester City website.
"The Premier League is without doubt the most demanding and competitive league in the world so that tells you everything about what an achievement this is.
"This squad is so talented and so special and to have been captain this season has been an enormous privilege."
German midfielder Gundogan added: "I would also like to thank Pep, all the backroom staff and everyone who works across this football club.
"Every single day they help provide us as players with everything we need in order to try to be successful. There is no way we could have won this title without all their support.
"To have won this trophy three times in a row and five times in six years is incredible. That quality and consistency helps sum up what Manchester City stand for and ensures the club will continue to strive for success going forward.
"It has been a season I will never forget. Our amazing fans have been with us every single step of the way.
"Without their amazing backing I don't think there is any way we would have been able to achieve what we have done these past six seasons.
"Their passion and support have been so important and inspirational for us all. Hopefully winning the Premier League title again is a fitting way for us to say thank you to our fans."
Erling Haaland's goals helped fire City to the title, as the Norway forward set a new Premier League record with 36 so far.
He wrote on Twitter: "Always give your best. Always believe. It pays off. C'MON CITY!"
Always give your best. Always believe. It pays off. C'MON CITY! 🏆💙 pic.twitter.com/8KjdTMcyHm
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) May 20, 2023
City defender Kyle Walker said: "Arsenal pushed us right to the limit they've been fantastic, so all credit to them.
"We just went on an incredible run, they had a few hiccups and we capitalised on it and we've managed to end up where we have now.
"It's the players we've got. We're a bunch of lads who have achieved so much over the last number of years and we understand the standards we've set.
"We achieved so much over the past five or six years, but we knew the bar wasn't high enough at the start of the season.
"When we came back after the World Cup, we had to kick on and fair play to the lads.
"We wanted to prove anyone doubting us wrong - it wasn't good enough.
"With the lads we have in the dressing room we always believe we can do something.
"The standards of the Premier League have gone up, but this is what this club is built for, certainly that's how it's been for the six years I've been here, so fair play to everyone involved.
"You've got to be ready at the business end of the season because that's what this club is all about and what we are built for."
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