Shaun Wright-Phillips has fired a warning to Arsenal after Manchester City’s 3-0 ‘statement’ win over West Ham on the Etihad on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s side went ahead after just five minutes when Erling Haaland hammered a shot past goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
Haaland then provided the assist for Tijjani Reijnders to double City’s lead, with the Dutchman smashing his effort into the roof of the online.
Within the second half, Haaland registered his nineteenth Premier League goal of the season as City comfortably secured all three points against the Hammers.
The result means City have temporarily moved to the highest of the Premier League table before Arsenal face Everton away from home at 8pm tonight.
‘It’s an announcement to say to Arsenal that they’re on their tails and prepared should they slip up,’ former City winger Wright-Phillips told the Premier League website about his old club’s victory over the Hammers.
‘West Ham have been very passive, but Man City have made the probabilities and moved the ball around quickly.’
A second former City player, Nedum Onuoha, told the BBC: ‘I believe for them (City) to be top of the tree shall be a pleasant feeling for them.
‘But the actual fact is that they know Arsenal will go to Everton, it’ll be a troublesome game but a team expected to win the league, they need to win there.
‘But for City to play first because that is the time now going into 2026, you go first, that is the statement. Can they match it?
‘It can be positive for City but Arsenal shall be greater than ready. Just before Christmas I don’t know the way big the pressure is but Arsenal can have known this game was happening going into their game and know the scoreline because they wish to be top at Christmas.’
Shearer: Haaland is on one other level
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Alan Shearer, meanwhile, has heaped praise on City striker Haaland after his effective performance against West Ham.
‘[Erling Haaland] is on one other level isn’t he?’ Shearer told the Premier League website.
‘I do should say though, the dearth of closing down, effort, whatever you would like to call it, has been embarrassing for West Ham.
‘In the event you give Foden and Haaland that period of time and space they’re going to have a field day. They’ve not played at their best but they’re cruising.’
Arsenal, who are actually one point behind City in second having played one game less, will move back top in the event that they beat Everton on the Hill Dickinson Stadium later tonight. A draw or a defeat would see City stay top.
The Gunners are hoping to win their first top-flight title since 2004 this term after ending as runners-up for the last three seasons in a row. City, meanwhile, have clinched 4 of the last five Premier League trophies.
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