Arsenal have been sent a warning by former Manchester City goalkeeper Scott Carson.
The November international break has come at the perfect time for Arsenal, who need time to disconnect from the building talk of the Premier League title race.
Before the break, Arsenal dropped points against Sunderland, which saw Manchester City take a significant leap forward, closing the gap between first and second to four points.
The narrative that Man City could beat Arsenal to the Premier League title once again is now building, and while the domestic action has paused, the Gunners aren’t being allowed to forget that Pep Guardiola’s side are chasing.
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Scott Carson says the Premier League should be worried about Manchester City
Given the manner in which Man City beat Arsenal to the title in consecutive seasons, Guardiola will be content with trailing the Gunners until the summer months.
For Mikel Arteta, the pressure will rise, which was to be expected, having only played 11 matches of the season, but the Arsenal manager has been dealt an additional warning.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Scott Carson, who was released by Man City in the summer, shared what he now thinks about his former club.
“From what I’ve seen, and especially over the last couple of weeks, it does look like the new players have settled in now,” Carson said.
“They do look like they’re getting the Man City of old back, and I think that’s only bad news for the rest of the Premier League.”
Having won six league titles under Guardiola, Carson’s warning wasn’t needed, as every competitor in the English top flight is aware of what the Cityzens can produce when their minds are on silverware.
Mikel Arteta’s record against Pep Guardiola
Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League decreased after City narrowed the gap to four points.
While it’s important for Arsenal’s tremendous form this season not to be discarded after a draw, City’s prominence in the title race discussion is unsurprising.
MatchesWinsDraws LossesWin %Arsenal goalsMan City goals1543826.67%1527Mikel Arteta’s managerial record against Pep Guardiola.
It’s not only because of the history of the battle between the two clubs over the last three years, but also because of Guardiola’s ability to get the better of Arteta.
Arteta has a win percentage of just 26.6% against his former colleague, but the pendulum has certainly shifted in recent years, with Arsenal’s last defeat against City coming in April 2023.
The title race is set to be a thriller, regardless of who is involved, with all eyes on what unfolds over the festive period.
