According to former defender Jamie Carragher, Arsenal lack a world-class striker and goalkeeper to compete for the Premier League title like Man City.
Carragher said watching Arsenal play this season is different to last season, when they defended more compactly but created fewer chances. He believes the problem lies with attacking players such as Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. "Those three players were explosive last season, but they are not as explosive this season," said the former Liverpool defender.
Coach Mikel Arteta was disappointed after losing to Newcastle at St James Park, in round 11 of the 2023-2024 Premier League on November 4, 2023. Photo: Reuters
But Carragher believes the Gunners have two bigger problems - strikers and goalkeepers . The former England international agreed with Arsenal stripping Aaron Ramsdale of his number one spot, saying the goalkeeper "won't bring trophies to the team". However, Carragher disagreed with Ramsdale's replacement, David Raya. "Raya looks completely out of sorts in the Arsenal goal at the moment," he added. "People have been talking about VAR for Arsenal's goal against Newcastle, but Raya is the big problem."
Arsenal suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season at St James Park in Round 11, thanks to Anthony Gordon's controversial goal. Raya came off his line but failed to meet Joe Willock's cross, allowing Joelinton to pass to Gordon, who tapped the ball into an empty net. It was not Raya's first mistake this season, having made several errors against Chelsea and Sevilla. Carragher said the Spaniard was lucky not to have been punished for those errors.
Goalkeeper Raya failed to catch a cross from the right in the situation that led to Arsenal's loss at Newcastle on November 4. Photo: Reuters
Former defender Gary Neville agrees with Carragher, saying Arsenal are lacking a top-class striker . The Manchester United legend thinks Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah are good, but will only be second and third choice strikers. "I think Mikel Arteta understands that and will be looking to sign a striker in January 2024," Neville added. "Arsenal have had some great centre-forwards for the last 20 years or so, and if they get one of those they will be champions."
Over the past 20 years, Arsenal have had world-class strikers such as Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Robin van Persie and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. This season, Jesus and Nketiah have taken turns at the top of the Gunners' attack. Jesus has only scored one goal in seven games, while Nketiah has done better with five goals in 11 games, including a hat-trick against bottom-placed Sheffield United. Last season, the two strikers only scored a total of 15 goals in the league.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are targeting Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko, but RB Leipzig do not want to lose a key player mid-season. In addition, Arteta is also targeting Ivan Toney from Brentford, but they will have to compete with Chelsea or Man Utd for this deal.
Hoang An
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