James Goldman
Published December 3, 2025 8:03am
Updated December 3, 2025 8:03am
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Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have seen their lead at the top of the table reduced to just two points (Credits: Richard Sellers/PA Wire)
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel has fired a warning to Arsenalahead of tonight’s game against Brentford with Manchester City now just two points behind the Premier League leaders.
Pep Guardiola’s side were given an almighty scare at Craven Cottage last night and came perilously close to losing a four-goal lead before eventually clinging on for a 5-4 victory.
It was a similar story last weekend when, having lost a 2-0 advantage, they required an injury time goal from Phil Foden to overcome struggling Leeds United.
Despite their obvious defensive frailties, City are now applying serious pressure to an Arsenal squad who have finished runners-up three seasons in a row.
The Gunners can restore a five-point advantage should they win at home against Brentford this evening, but Friedel believes City will eventually hunt Arsenal down and condemn the north London club to another near miss.
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He told talkSPORT: ‘I think Man City will catch Arsenal. I think Arsenal are the best team right now, I think they play the best football.
‘But I think when it gets to March and April and they’re still going in Europe and the FA Cup if they get one or two of the wrong injuries.
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Previous Page Next Page‘Man City has already fallen down they’re on the mend they’ve had their psychological dip and I think they’re going to start coming up.’
Arteta is on the verge of celebrating his sixth anniversary as Arsenal boss but for all the progress they have made under his tenure, the FA Cup in his first season remains the only major trophy success.
Asked if he should face the sack if he fails to secure silverware this season, Friedel added: ‘That’s only an answer for someone who is there day to day.
‘Are the players still behind him are they still earning money are they getting other goals accomplished within the club.’
Arsenal dropped two points in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
Guardiola, meanwhile, was at a loss to explain what happened to his side after madcap night in west London.
Erling Haaland brought up his century of Premier League goals but his milestone got lost in the mayhem of what was to follow.
City were 5-1 up and cruising shortly after half-time, but goals from Alex Iwobi and substitute Samuel Chukwueze’s double left them clinging on for dear life by the end.
‘Did you enjoy that, guys?’ Guardiola smiled after the match. ‘Me? Impossible.
Erling Haaland was back on the scoresheet in Man City’s 5-4 win over Fulham (Picture: Getty)
‘It’s the Premier League, you can’t control, it’s the Premier League. I know you’re going to ask what happened, and I don’t have an answer.
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‘It’s the emotion, it’s the football. Why you do this, why you do that? But I’m sorry to tell you, we made incredible things today, incredible, because I know how difficult that team is.
‘We proved it and scored the goals that we score and the quality we have done. Erling had a chance for 6-3 and immediately later, 5-4.
‘And when that happens, it’s just a question of survival. Don’t tell me how, the players don’t know either. At the end we take it.’
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