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Ian Wright has stated that Manchester City remain ‘way ahead’ of his former club Arsenal and has downplayed suggestions of a rivalry between the two clubs.
Arsenal shocked Manchester City with a 5-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium on February 2, 2025. Despite the comprehensive defeat, Wright believes that talk of rivalry between the two clubs is premature.
Wright, who is synonymous with Arsenal’s glorious past, emphasized that Manchester City’s current level of performance, consistency, and squad depth sets them apart in the Premier League landscape. “City is playing at a level that Arsenal is still aspiring to reach,” Wright stated. “They have been building this powerhouse team for years, and it shows in their results.”
He further explained that while Arsenal has shown significant improvement and has the potential to challenge the top teams, there is still a considerable gap that needs to be bridged. “We’re on the right path, but it’s important to be realistic. City has world-class players and a manager who knows how to get the best out of them,” Wright commented.
Wright downplayed the notion of a rivalry between the two clubs, noting that Manchester City’s consistent performances and track record make them the benchmark. “It’s flattering to be mentioned in the same breath as City, but we have a long way to go before we can consider ourselves true rivals,” he added.
He praised Arsenal’s progress and the work being done by the current management but urged fans to be patient. “There’s a lot to be excited about at Arsenal, and we’re seeing positive changes. But success doesn’t come overnight. We need to keep building and improving,” Wright concluded.
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