Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher has never been shy about weighing in on Arsenal, but his latest run of punditry has even left his Sky Sports colleagues struggling to pin down what he actually believes.
In one breath, he's dismissing the rest of the Premier League as too unstable to challenge the Gunners this season. But in the next, he's arguing Arsenal themselves haven't done enough to deserve favourite status.
It's a position that has caused a bit of a stir online, with some feeling that his stance doesn't quite hold together, as there are gaps in what Carragher believes. Notably, he also suggested Arsenal only have one world-class player in their squad.
Jamie Carragher Predicts Premier League Winners
Jamie Carragher Predicts Premier League Winners
Carragher's Arsenal Comments
Jamie Carragher
During Sky Sports' broadcast of Arsenal's opening Premier League game against Coventry City, Carragher argued that whilst Arsenal may be favourites to win the title once again, it isn't exactly because they are very good.
He said: "I think the reason so many people seem so confident in predicting Arsenal to win the league isn't so much about Arsenal. I think it's more you can't see anybody else lifting that trophy at the end of the season.
So whilst the ex-Liverpool captain has Arsenal as the clear favourites for the title, he went on to argue that Arsenal don't necessarily possess a top-level squad, pointing to the attack as a clear spot for improvement.
"The attack still hasn't been improved; there's no superstar in the attack. They couldn't get Vinicius Junior; William Saliba is arguably the only world-class player they have."
It's strong words from Carragher, especially considering that Arsenal have signed the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Christian Tzolis and Ezri Konsa in the transfer window. Many have been left confused by the comments, wondering how the Gunners can apparently be coasting to the title whilst having a lacklustre squad.
The World-Class Player Excuse Causing Confusion
Stephane Mahe via Reuters
Another big issue is about who Carragher actually rates. Bringing up Arsenal's only genuine 'world-class player' in his eyes, the Liverpool icon named William Saliba, which won't make sense to many who follow Arsenal.
Some would point out that Saliba – who is recovering from a back injury that he picked up during the summer, with Mikel Arteta not giving a clear timeline on when he expects the French defender to return to action – is one of many great talents in the Premier League team, such as David Raya, Gabriel, Declan Rice, and Bukayo Saka.
Meanwhile, Carragher has separately criticised the lack of proven attacking talent added to Arteta's squad, citing the failed Vinícius Junior deal as a huge factor in their apparent poor attacking quality.
To many, Carragher's comments contradict themselves, questioning as to how he can blame other squads' transition periods as the sole reason as to why Arsenal will lift the Premier League trophy once again, whilst holding them to world-class standards that only one player can meet, yet that player has been injured since the World Cup.