Exclusive – Corrigan claims Arsenal are jealous of Man City

Joe Corrigan insists Arsenal are jealous of Manchester City – not the other way round.

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has claimed big-spending City are envious of the fact the Gunners are still in the Champions League and FA Cup.

But, with City sitting 18 points ahead of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, Corrigan told talkSPORT: “I think it’s the opposite way round. Everybody in the Premier League has got this little bit of jealousy that Man City can go out and spend this money.

“Everybody is saying they are buying their way to the top but it is a difficult proposition for a manager because you are buying all these superstars and trying to gel them all together.”

Corrigan is confident City can maintain their position at the top of the Premier League and clinch a first league title since 1968.

But the former City stopper believes they must get rid of Carlos Tevez before the transfer window closes tonight - or risk their chances of success.

“For me, he is just a mercenary and he has proved that time and time again,” he said. “When you are trying to achieve solidarity, trying to win trophies and trying to win titles you don’t need people like that in the dressing room. City have to get rid of him. He is a bad apple.”