Shaun Wright-Phillips has fired a warning to Arsenal after Manchester City’s 3-0 ‘statement’ win over West Ham at 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 net.
In the second half, Haaland registered his 19th 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 top of the Premier League table before Arsenal face Everton away from home at 8pm tonight.
‘It’s a statement to say to Arsenal that they’re on their tails and ready 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 chances and moved the ball around quickly.’
A second former City player, Nedum Onuoha, told the BBC: ‘I think for them (City) to be top of the tree will be a nice feeling for them.
‘But the fact is they know Arsenal will go to Everton, it will be a tough game but a team expected to win the league, they should win there.
‘But for City to play first because this is the time now going into 2026, you go first, this is the statement. Can they match it?
‘It will be positive for City but Arsenal will be more than ready. Just before Christmas I don’t know how big the pressure is but Arsenal will have known this game was going on going into their game and know the scoreline because they want to be top at Christmas.’
Shearer: Haaland is on another level
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Alan Shearer, meanwhile, has heaped praise on City striker Haaland after his fine performance against West Ham.
‘[Erling Haaland] is on another level isn’t he?’ Shearer told the Premier League website.
‘I do have to say though, the lack of closing down, effort, whatever you want to call it, has been embarrassing for West Ham.
‘If you give Foden and Haaland that amount 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 now one point behind City in second having played one game less, will move back top if they beat Everton at 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 finishing as runners-up for the last three seasons in a row. City, meanwhile, have clinched four of the last five Premier League trophies.