Manchester City's shock Champions League loss at home to Lyon was not down to Pep Guardiola's absence or a poor atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium, says Mikel Arteta.
City, rated among the favourites to win this season's Champions League, went down 2-1 in Wednesday's Group F clash with Arteta deputising on the touchline for the banned Guardiola.
Maxwel Cornet and Nabil Fekir struck first-half goals for the Ligue 1 side and although Bernardo Silva gave City hope, the Premier League champions could not complete the fightback.
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And Arteta would not blame the loss of Guardiola or a low attendance for his side's poor showing in their opening group encounter.