My dad Ian Wright spent ages winding me up about Arsenal’s title charge, but I’m not worried about them this season

9 months ago 76

SHAUN WRIGHT PHILLIPS warned his old man might have to wait a while to get the family bragging rights.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright was loving it last season as the Gunners looked set to pip Manchester City to the Prem title.

So when Mikel Arteta’s men blew it, SWP took in the trophy and paraded it in front of his dad on live television.

More than £200million have been spent on new signings by the North Londoners already this summer in a bid to put it right.

But Wright-Phillips said: “We’re not worried about Arsenal next season.

“There are so many other teams who have got stronger since last season.

“I think there will be more opportunities for other teams to try to claw back at City and Arsenal.

“City have dominated the Premier League for more than 10 years and the challenge is to keep on doing it because other teams have got stronger.

“You never know with Pep [Guardiola]. After playing with four centre-backs last season, he’s probably now got something else up his sleeve.”

Wright-Phillips reckons what City are doing now stands comparison with what Arsenal’s Invincibles achieved.

He added: “When [Manchester] United did the treble, football was completely different. Arsene Wenger changed the game at Arsenal.

“And I think City are now doing it their way.

“If you look at the points totals over the last seven to 10 years, I think the Invincibles would have won the title once with how many they got.

“That shows you how much standards have improved.

“I haven’t told my dad that yet – it’s my ace card.”

Wright-Phillips said he never had any doubts City would lift the title even when the Gunners were in command.

So he said he had to get a cheeky dig in after Arsenal’s defeat at Nottingham Forest confirmed their title.

He said: “He got a bit carried away earlier in the season, so I gave him a little bit back when City came good – like I said they would.”

“To be fair, my dad took it very gracefully.

“He admitted City deserved it, especially after the games with Arsenal at the Emirates and the Etihad.

“He thought City were fantastic during the run-in and deserved to be champions.

“I don’t gloat. That’s what he does.”