Jamie Carragher - Arsenal and Chelsea
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Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal’s biggest challenge this season will be coping with the intense pressure to finally end their long wait for a Premier League title.
The Gunners have strengthened significantly over the summer, securing big-name signings including Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke. Having finished runners-up for three consecutive seasons, expectations at the Emirates are higher than ever.
Speaking onThe Chris Moyles Show on Radio X, the former Liverpool and England defender praised Arsenal’s transfer business but questioned whether their squad contains a true “game changer.”
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“I like the players they’ve brought in,” Carragher said. “Maybe upfront, with the new striker, it’ll be really interesting to see how he does. But the problem for Arsenal isn’t so much whether they’re good enough, it’s the pressure.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (Image credit: Getty Images)
“It almost feels like it’s now or never. If Arsenal finish second again, it won’t be seen as a decent season, it’ll almost be seen as a disaster. Playing with that pressure for the whole season is what will make it tough.”
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While Liverpool remain favourites to lift the title under new boss Arne Slot, Carragher warned his former club are far from invincible, pointing to their 2-0 Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace as evidence.
“A lot of people think Liverpool could run away with the league because of what they’ve done in the summer,” he added. “I don’t quite see that. The way they played on Sunday was a little bit worrying, not the result, but how the game went. It almost looked like they had too many attacking players on the pitch. It’ll be interesting how Arne Slot fixes that.”
Arsenal will begin their Premier League campaign on Sunday with a high-profile clash against Manchester United.
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