Jamie Carragher has expressed concerns that Arsenal’s failure to sign a forward during the summer transfer window may cost them the Premier League title.
After two seasons of narrowly falling short, Arsenal entered the current campaign as strong contenders to finally dethrone Manchester City. Despite showing early promise, it is Liverpool who have surged to the top of the table.
Arsenal’s recent victory in the north London derby reduced Liverpool’s lead to four points, though Arsenal has played one more game. However, injuries to key players Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus have exposed a lack of attacking depth.
Carragher believes Arsenal’s decision to neglect their forward line in the summer could prove costly. Although Mikel Arteta brought in Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino, their contributions have been underwhelming.
Carragher has been particularly critical of the choice to recruit Merino, suggesting it was a misplaced priority.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Carragher said:
“If Arsenal falter, frustration will be directed at their failure to address long-standing concerns about their attacking options.
Choosing Mikel Merino over a forward last summer now appears to be a mistake. Merino isn’t a game-changer.”
Carragher further emphasized that Arsenal’s title hopes were already fragile before Saka and Jesus were sidelined:
“I’ve said before that Chelsea can’t win the title without strengthening their defense, and Arsenal are in the same situation with their attack. This was evident even before their injuries.”
In a last-minute effort, Arsenal secured Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea. However, his performances have fallen short of expectations, highlighted by his early substitution during the north London derby.
Meanwhile, Merino’s start at Arsenal has been challenging. He suffered a shoulder injury in his first training session and has struggled to establish himself in the lineup.
Despite initial doubts about his signing, the Euro 2024 winner remains confident he can prove his worth.
In a recent interview, Merino explained his playing style:
“I may be physically strong, but there’s more to my game. I focus on passing, keeping possession, and handling pressure. I’m not like David Silva or Iniesta, but I bring a different mentality and skill set.”
With the January transfer window open, Arsenal faces increasing pressure to strengthen their attack. Carragher has warned that failing to act now would be “negligent,” as relying on Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Martinelli won’t be enough to challenge Liverpool’s lead.
