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Jamie Carragher has claimed Arsenal’s ability to capitalize on Liverpool’s dropped points could be the big difference between this season and last.
The Gunners have gone from one point clear of the reigning champions eight days ago to now seven ahead of Arne Slot’s side, who has now lost its last four Premier League matches after a defeat against Brentford on Saturday. Arsenal, in contrast, has won four in a row and now sits four points clear at the summit, with Mikel Arteta going to extreme lengths to keep his players from distraction.
With such a strong defensive record, most are now backing Arsenal to win the title, especially given Liverpool’s deficiencies and an unconvincing Manchester City faltering again on Sunday.
But Carragher has warned Arteta’s side that the weight of expectation to end its 22-year wait without a title could impact the club.
“Well that’s the big difference between to last season: whenever Liverpool dropped points Arsenal didn't capitalize and we highlighted last week that Arsenal won a game when Liverpool lost and they've done exactly the same again right now, so they're in a great position,” the pundit said on Sky Sports.
“The only thing for Arsenal and the supporters, because they want the Premier League so much, because it's been so long for them, it almost feels such a long wait until May.
“You know, there's a long way to go in the Premier League. Things can go wrong. But right now, the way the Premier League is this season, it takes a long throw, set-pieces, direct play, Arsenal are the best-equipped team to deal with that.”
The Gunners' effectiveness from set-pieces is certainly the bedrock of their title tilt. As Sky Sports highlighted, Arsenal has only scored five goals from open play this season (the fourth-worst record in the division), while it has the lowest percentage of goals from open play of any side in the league.
Asked whether that could present a problem for Arsenal’s title hopes, Carragher replied: “It’s not when you're top of the league; there's no doubt about that.
“They are pretty special and where the Premier League is right now, this season, it feels like we're going to be doing assessing set-pieces every weekend.
“There is no team better in the league so it's primed to go on and win the Premier League if that's where the league has gone.
“I mentioned my own team in terms of Liverpool, they don't seem to be able to cope.
“For a long time I've said Mikel Arteta is trying to win the Premier League like a Jose Mourinho team. There's nothing wrong with that. The most important thing is winning – and right now they look in a great position.”
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