Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher named his Premier League Team of the Season so far during a segment on Monday Night Football, but one of his selections hasn’t gone down well with Arsenal supporters. With the Gunners sitting top of the table heading into Christmas, it may come as a surprise that only three of Mikel Arteta’s players made the lineup.
There is little doubt Arsenal have been the best team in England this season, and many would argue there is no side better equipped to challenge for the Champions League after posting a 100 per cent record in Europe, including a 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich. However, recent form has not been kind to the north Londoners. Dropped points against Sunderland, a 10-man Chelsea, and Aston Villa have seen them surrender what could have been a 10-point lead over Manchester City, with the gap now just two.
With such fine margins separating first, second, and third from the rest of the league, it’s not only the Gunners who warranted recognition in Carragher’s selection. However, it is the omission of Jurrien Timber that has those of an Emirates Stadium persuasion particularly riled up.
Carragher Under Fire for Jurrien Timber PL Team of the Season Omission
Arsenal's Jurrien Timber celebrates
The thing with Arsenal is that it’s their system and collective performance that usually drives their wins and keeps them consistently challenging for silverware. That’s why, while Gabriel and Declan Rice have been standout performers, others in Arteta’s side can be overshadowed, serving as very good pieces in an even better jigsaw puzzle.
After admitting the right-back position was the most difficult part of the defence to pick, Carragher opted for Crystal Palace flying full-back Daniel Munoz over Timber. He admitted that he was close to going with the Gunners' star, just as he was with selecting Chelsea captain Reece James, before explaining (watch from 00:51 of the video below):
"Every time I watch this guy [Daniel Munoz], he's absolutely fantastic. Part of a really strong Crystal Palace defence, but he has three goals and a couple of assists as well, so I think he's fantastic."
The Colombian international has one extra goal and one more assist than Timber this season, while playing for a team that isn't expected to be doing as well as they currently are. But that hasn't stopped Arsenal supporters from aiming fire at Carragher's pick, with one X user remarking: "No Timber is absolutely wild." Elsewhere, a second added:
"Munoz ahead of Timber is crazy. Munoz has been good but he's not been better than Timber and he's a wing back. Timber has been the best right-back in Europe behind now injured Achraf Hakimi."
"This is the worst lineup! Where is Timber?" another user asked, as a fourth wrote: "Totally delusional. He has no clue." Meanwhile, a fifth concluded: "No Timber? Timber is literally statistically the best full-back in the Premier League."
Carragher's Full Premier League Team of the Season So Far
GK: Robin Roefs (Sunderland)
robin roefs
Costing newly-promoted Sunderland just £9 million over the summer, Robin Roefs has surpassed every expectation to work his way into being considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world right now. The Black Cats have the second-best defence in the Premier League, and his 81 per cent save rate is a big reason why.
RB: Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace)
daniel munoz
With three goals and three assists in 14 appearances, it seems nobody has taken Trent Alexander-Arnold's mantle of being the best playmaking full-back in the Premier League better than Daniel Munoz. Arsenal fans might not appreciate it, but the Colombian's constant pressing and eagerness to run up and down the flank makes him one of the most annoying defenders to come up against as a winger.
CB: Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
marc guehi
Leading by example, Palace captain Marc Guehi hasn't kicked up a fuss after he saw his transfer to Liverpool collapse at the eleventh hour of the summer transfer window. Instead, he's continued to prove there's not many better in his position than him, helping Oliver Glasner's side pick up seven clean sheets, while also contributing to four goals at the other end of the pitch. That move to a bigger club is surely still on the cards should he want it.
CB: Gabriel (Arsenal)
gabriel magalhaes arsenal premier league
At the time of his injury last month, statistics showed Gabriel’s crucial role in Arsenal conceding just five Premier League goals. He led the league with 20 blocks and was his side’s top player for aerial duels, clearances, and headed clearances. He also managed three goals and two assists, with it being made abundantly clear that he's the single most important factor in his side's success from set-pieces.
LB: Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal)
calafiori
Also contributing massively to a defence that has kept a league-high nine clean sheets and only conceded 10 goals all season is Euro 2024 breakout star Riccardo Calafiori. Operating in an inverted full-back role, the Italian has a lot of say in Arteta's side's ability to control possession and ensure his opposite number doesn't really have a chance to have an influence on things.
CDM: Granit Xhaka (Sunderland)
Granit Xhaka Sunderland
When Sunderland signed Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen for £17.3 million over the summer with the thinking behind his move being that he would bring some much-needed Premier League experience to the side, they surely didn't expect him to be considered the signing of the season by the halfway point. But that's exactly how things have panned out, and the Swiss' presence at the base of midfield has been omnipresent, to say the least.
CAM: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
bruno fernandes
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has created more chances than anyone else in the Premier League this season, with his tally of 51 meaning he's 15 better than second-placed in that ranking. While those around him haven't always been at their best, the 31-year-old consistently drags his team through wins and, without him, Ruben Amorim's time at Old Trafford would have come to an end by now.
CDM: Declan Rice (Arsenal)
declan rice arsenal-1
This year marks the fifth time since the start of the Premier League era that Arsenal have been top at Christmas. From this position, they have never gone on to win the title, but much of their hopes this season will rest squarely on the shoulders of Declan Rice, who is indisputably the club’s most important player. Long regarded as one of the world’s best defensive midfielders, he has recently added set-piece prowess and goals to his game, leaving many to wonder if there is anything he can’t do.
RW: Antonie Semenyo (Bournemouth)
Semenyo
Liverpool, Manchester City, and Tottenham are just some of the clubs showing an interest in Antoine Semenyo, and it's easy to see why following his electric start to the campaign. He scored twice at Anfield to kick things off, and his tally now stands at eight goals and three assists after 16 matches, despite Bournemouth straddling in 15th.
ST: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland
In a world where AI is rising to prominence, can anyone really be certain Erling Haaland is real? In 19 matches across all competitions this season, he's picked up the Man of the Match award eight times. In the Premier League, he has 19 goals in 17 appearances as the big Norwegian forward races away with what should be his third Golden Boot come May. Out of all the picks, his was the most straightforward for Carragher.
LW: Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers celebrates scoring vs Manchester United
Forget Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, it currently looks as though Morgan Rogers is primed for a guaranteed start under Thomas Tuchel at the 2026 World Cup should he continue his purple patch. A brace against Man United to bring Aston Villa's winning run up to 10 in a row is no doubt the highlight, but the England man has been turning defences inside out with scary ease since the start of last season.