New York State

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.

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.

‘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.’

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.

‘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.

‘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.’

Arsenal host Brentford in midweek Premier League action tonight with William Saliba a doubt for the Gunners.

The France international picked up a knock in training ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, missing the bad-tempered 1-1 draw.

With Gabriel Magalhaes already out with a thigh injury, Mikel Arteta named Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie at the heart of his defence.

The Gunners boss may have to rely on that pairing again against Brentford When speaking at a pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Arteta did not rule out Saliba but believes it will be a ‘matter of days’ before he shakes off the minor injury that kept him out at the weekend.

Gabriel meanwhile is not expected to return until late December.

Arsenal do have Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber available to play at centre-half with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ben White ready to provide cover at left-back and right-back respectively.

Elsewhere, Leandro Trossard remains a doubt after also missing the draw at Chelsea. The Belgium international was forced in the first-half against Bayern Munich last week but his injury is not a serious one.

Viktor Gyokeres returned to action after a four-game absence on Sunday and will be hopeful oy reclaiming his place in the side ahead of Mikel Merino who has deputised admirably in his place.

But the fitness of Arsenal’s other forward option in Kai Havertz remains a mystery. The Germany international has not featured since the opening weekend of the season, undergoing what the club described as ‘minor’ knee surgery in August.

Arteta suggested he could be available again after the November international break for the north London derby with Chelsea last weekend mentioned as another possible return date.

But Havertz is still ‘weeks away’ from a return, according to Arteta.

Elsewhere, the Arsenal boss has welcomed Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli back from injury in recent weeks and has ample opportunity to rotate his squad tonight.

Arsenal XI to face Brentford – Metro prediction

Odegaard will be hoping to come into the starting XI today with Eberechi Eze getting through plenty of minutes since the end of the November international break.

Should things go to plan against the Bees, Arteta may also be eager to give Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka a lighter evening with a difficult trip to in-form Aston Villa looming on Saturday.

Arsenal vs Brentford TV channel and live stream

Arsenal vs Brentford kicks off at 7:30pm on Wednesday 3 December.

You can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.

You can also follow all the action with Metro’s LIVE matchday blog.