Arsenal have been issued a stark Premier League title warning from within the camp of their fiercest rivals, Manchester City, following a devastating run of form from Pep Guardiola's side.
City's Resurgence Puts Gunners on Alert
Just prior to the international break, Manchester City closed the gap on league leaders Arsenal with a series of emphatic victories that have signalled their intent. After a sluggish start to the season, City demolished Liverpool 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium, a statement win that followed convincing triumphs against in-form AFC Bournemouth and German giants Borussia Dortmund.
While Mikel Arteta's Arsenal still hold a valuable four-point advantage, the momentum has decisively shifted, setting the stage for a gripping title battle.
Inside the Etihad: A Sense of 'Togetherness'
The most telling insight comes from a direct source at the club. Former Manchester City forward Paul Dickov, who interestingly is a product of the Arsenal academy and now works within City's media team, has revealed the palpable shift in atmosphere at the Etihad.
Speaking to LondonWorld, Dickov highlighted the collective drive fuelling their charge. "Being in and around the club quite a lot, especially this season, the whole atmosphere, togetherness and the drive after the disappointment from last season was there for everybody to see," Dickov stated.
He sensed the pivotal Liverpool performance was coming, emphasising the importance of their three consecutive victories. "To get the three victories that they did, and in the manner of how they've done it, that matters," he added, attributing the success to City's quality rather than opponents' shortcomings.
Squad Depth and Key Performers Shine
Early season concerns over an over-reliance on Erling Haaland have been silenced, with a host of first-team stars stepping up. Dickov pointed to a balanced squad reminiscent of previous title-winning campaigns.
"I look at the squad, and it reminds me of a couple of seasons ago: a lovely mixture of youth and experience," he said. He praised new signings like Rayan Ait-Nouri and highlighted the impact of players such as Nico O'Reilly, Rayan Cherki, and Phil Foden returning to form.
He specifically noted Jeremy Doku as one of the best performers in the dominant win over Liverpool, alongside a defensively sound display from the entire team. While cautioning it's still early, Dickov believes City have "put a marker down for everybody else."
For Arsenal, the message from Manchester is clear: the defending champions are unified, in form, and ready to fight for the Premier League crown until the very end.
