Jamie Carragher has delivered a huge verdict on Arsenal’s title hopes after Manchester City blew Liverpool away 3-0, a result that cranked up the pressure at the top of the Premier League table.
Despite City’s ruthless display, Carragher insists Arsenal are still the team to beat this season. But he warned the Gunners could start feeling the heat as the title race tightens.
“I think Arsenal will be nervous [in the title race] because it’s Man City and they’ve done this to them twice before,” Carragher told Sky Sports. “Twice in the last three years they’ve come from behind and caught Arsenal.”
The former Liverpool star was left stunned by City’s first-half demolition job at the Etihad. “The manner of the [City] victory today, that first-half performance as well… Liverpool are the champions but City took them to the cleaners,” he said.
Carragher also admitted Arsenal would have been desperate for a draw, but instead watched City close the gap in brutal fashion.
“On the back of Arsenal dropping points against a promoted team, they would have been hoping for a draw. But they saw City not only win, but win well, and they might be getting a few flashbacks to the last couple of times they had a chance at a title.”
And with the international break looming, Carragher reckons it could be a tense couple of weeks for Arteta’s men. “It might be a long two weeks… I still think Arsenal are the best team I’ve seen in the Premier League this season, no doubt. But it’s been so long since they won the title so everyone will become twitchy during the run-in.”
City are closing fast, but Carragher’s message is clear, Arsenal are still top dogs for now. The big question: can they stay there when Pep’s machine is starting to roar again?
