Jamie Carragher warns Arsenal about the Man City star they should be wary of (it's NOT Erling Haaland) and reveals who he thinks is the second best manager in the Premier League

Jamie Carragher has sent a double warning to Arsenal as the Premier League title race hots up.

After the Gunners secured a dramatic last-gasp victory against Wolves on Saturday night, Man City and Aston Villa both picked up three points of their own on Sunday to remain within touching distance at the top of the table.

City's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace was their fifth in a row in all competitions, and after a mixed start to the campaign, they are starting to click into gear.

Meanwhile, Villa twice came from behind to beat West Ham 3-2, with this result their 15th victory in their past 17 games in what has been an incredible run for Unai Emery's side.

In City's triumph at Selhurst Park, Erling Haaland scored twice, but it was Phil Foden who Carragher focused on after he netted his sixth Premier League goal in the past four games.

The attacking midfielder enjoyed an incredible 2023-24 season as Pep Guardiola 's side won the title for the fourth year in a row. Back then, Foden scored 19 goals and added eight assists across the campaign.

Jamie Carragher has told Arsenal that they should be worried about Phil Foden's return to form

Carragher claimed that Foden has the potential to be crucial in the title race this season

However, he badly struggled last time out in 2024-25 as City faltered - and the 25-year-old looked shorn of confidence, managing just seven goals and two assists all season.

And Carragher felt the England star's resurgence is something that will be crucial for the title race.

'He was the Player of the Season a year or so ago, but wasn't himself for whatever reason last season,' the Liverpool legend said on Sky Sports' Extra Time show. 'But now he looks back to his best.

'Back to his best is one of the best players in the Premier League and I keep saying it, it's not Haaland, it's him who must be a real fear for Arsenal.

'Haaland is expected, he does it year in and year out, getting 30 or 40 goals, and he is doing it this season, but Phil Foden coming back to the party is a real worry.'

Ironically, Guardiola had actually played down Foden's performance against Palace after the game.

'Today he (Foden) didn't play good,' the Spaniard said post-match. 'He lost a lot of balls. He was rushing with every action, he needs to play more calm and keep the ball and in the right moment change the gear. Saying that he is doing terrific for the team.'

Foden, who has already matched last season's tally of seven goals and two assists this time around, later added: 'Every time I have been here it has been such a challenge. Close game, a lot of duels have to be won. It is scrappy at times. Second half was much better than the first and that was the key.

Carragher claimed Haaland wouldn't be a big worry for Arsenal because the Norwegian's incredible goalscoring record is expected and he performs like this every season

He also heaped praise on Unai Emery and the transformation he has overseen at Aston Villa

'I was really happy with the goal at the right time. It just made us a little bit more relaxed. It was a crucial goal at a crucial time. I've been in good form, scoring a lot recently and long may it continue.

'In the first half I gave a lot of balls away and I was trying to do too much with it. Against Palace you need to relax and play extra passes.

'That is the standard I set myself and so does the manager [Pep Guardiola]. He knows there is more to come from me.'

Carragher also touched on Villa's incredible form, which sees them languishing only one point behind City and three adrift of Arsenal.

Since Emery replaced Steven Gerrard in November 2022, he has completely transformed the club, helping them to qualify for Europe in three successive seasons, and he has won 91 of his 163 matches in charge.

And, although Villa still remain outsiders for the title, Carragher felt the qualities of the 54-year-old cannot be underestimated.

He added: 'We go back to the manager a lot, and rightly so. I said on the show today that I think there is only Pep Guardiola right now who is a better manager than Unai Emery .

'When you look at his CV, what he has done over his managerial career. There are some top managers, but as I said, he has a great CV. He has done a brilliant job as well.'

Villa are back in action next Sunday when they host Man United, while City face Brentford in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday before they entertain West Ham on Saturday.