Jamie Carragher - Arsenal and Chelsea
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As Arsenal prepare for a high-stakes Premier League campaign, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has argued that the Gunners’ title ambitions will depend more on their defensive backbone than the arrival of record signing Viktor Gyokeres.
Writing inThe Telegraph, Carragher insisted that Arsenal’s long-awaited bid to end their 22-year title drought hinges on the performances of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and goalkeeper David Raya. He suggested that while Gyokeres adds firepower, Arsenal’s defensive stability remains their greatest strength.
“Should Arsenal finally win the Premier League this season, their success will be built on the consistent excellence of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhees, and David Raya, not the transformational qualities of new signing Viktor Gyokeres,” Carragher wrote.
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He described the defensive trio as “a different level to any other current Premier League team,” noting that Raya is yet to concede this season, while the Saliba-Gabriel partnership has proven near impenetrable.
Arsenal’s numbers reinforce Carragher’s point. Over the past two campaigns, they have boasted the league’s best defensive record, combining resilience at the back with set-piece strength. Their recent victory over Leeds United, sealed by a goal following a corner in the 34th minute, was another example of defence turning into attack.
Carragher also highlighted the squad depth Arsenal have built through the summer, including signings such as Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martín Zubimendi, which he believes gives them an edge over Liverpool and Manchester City, teams he considers their only true rivals for the title.
While Gyokeres, who arrived from Sporting CP in a €63 million deal, made an immediate impression with a debut goal against Manchester United, Carragher argued his role is supplementary rather than transformative.
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“Gyokeres’s role is to help turn more of the 14 draws Arsenal suffered in 2024/25 into wins that elusive final ingredient, rather than introduce a bold new tactical approach,” he explained. Carragher even suggested that Kai Havertz, once fit, may still be trusted in key fixtures.
His comments echo the mindset within Arsenal’s own camp. Defender William Saliba, speaking at the PFA Awards after being named in the 2025 Team of the Year alongside Gabriel and Declan Rice, emphasised the importance of the team’s collective effort. “We know that we always miss something,” he admitted, reflecting on Arsenal’s three consecutive second-place finishes. “We want to score in any context, set pieces, counter-attack, everything.”
With a crucial early-season clash against Liverpool at Anfield looming, Arsenal’s defensive resilience looks set to remain the cornerstone of their title challenge even as Gyokeres brings new attacking firepower.
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