MANCHESTER UNITED did Pep Guardiola a favor by beating Arsenal

That’s the verdict of former Gunners star Martin Keown, who reckons the win will have stopped Manchester City from becoming complacent.

Manchester United closed the gap on local rivals City to five points thanks to Antonio Valencia and Jesse Lingard’s goals in a 3-1 victory at the Emirates.

Guardiola ’s men can increase their advantage to eight points again though if they beat West Ham at the Etihad today.

City has been tipped to win the title regardless of their result against the relegation-threatened Hammers.

And Keown has now explained how United’s win helped them keep their challenge on track.

"You know, I think Guardiola might be watching [and] thinking it’s perfect," Keown explained on BT Sport.

"Because if they [City] were lulled into a false sense of security in their performances, they’ve seen that somebody’s challenging.

"And he’ll be thinking: ‘Okay’because that’s maybe the only thing that can beat City, because they could become complacent.

"They’ve [United] shown already that there is a threat there and they’re at home as well [next Sunday]."