Jamie Carragher: Arsenal Have No “World Class” Forwards, That Will Cost Them

By The Editor
on 1st January 2024

Carragher maintains Arsenal’s attack will let them down…

Jamie Carragher has once again stressed that Arsenal’s attack will let them down in their bid to win the Premier League title this season, the former Liverpool man said on Sky Sports.

Carragher uncovered a stat to illustrate to his point, showing that we rank 13th in the league for goals from open play with just 20 of our 37 goals not coming by way of a set piece.

Following a game in which we didn’t create much as we succumbed to yet another defeat, Carragher believes the lack of world-class talent in the forward line is now an issue for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard are off the pace this campaign in terms of their efficiency in the final third, that’s despite our xG remaining similar to last season’s tally.

Bukayo Saka also seems slightly withdrawn in games, though he remains the club’s top scorer and has contributed with 12 goal involvements.

“All four of Arsenal’s front are top players but none of them are world class,” Carragher said on Monday Night Football.

“I think Saka can become world class, but in this league, Liverpool won a title because they had Mo Salah.

“City have won titles in the past because they had [Sergio] Aguero and they’ve now got Haaland. Is that enough for Arsenal to win a league title? Are any of them world class right now to take Arsenal to a title? I’d say no.”

Arteta, if asked away from the spotlight, would probably agree with the Sky Sports pundit and has alluded to his concerns about our profligacy.

Even during our best Premier League spell this season, we’ve rarely punished teams for the number of chances we created – highlighted by the fact that we’ve only won two games by more than a two-goal margin this term.

With a quiet January window expected, Arteta must earn his stripes to get us firing again with the tools he has.