Jamie Carragher hits back at Arsenal 'nonsense' and delivers honest Mikel Arteta verdict

Arsenal are currently on track to win their first Premier League title in more than two decades, and Jamie Carragher has defended how the Gunners - and Mikel Arteta - have gone about their business this season

Jamie Carragher has branded criticism over Arsenal's reliance on set pieces this season as "absolute nonsense."

The Gunners are currently top of the Premier League standings with just seven games to go, nine points clear of Manchester City. It has been an almost flawless season under Mikel Arteta, who finally looks set to bring the first league title to north London in over two decades come May - after years of being the proverbial bridesmaid but never the bride.

For context, Arsenal have finished second in the league in each of the last three seasons, pipped to the post by Pep Guardiola's Sky Blues by just two points in 2023/24 - the closest they have come to asserting dominance in recent years.

However, 2025/26 looks to finally be Arteta's year, should the Spanish tactician continue to inspire nothing short of perfection from his squad on the home stretch. Set pieces have been a major part of the Gunners' success this time out, with 21 goals from dead balls in total in the Premier League.

That accounts for 34.4 per cent of their total goal tally this term, and is the highest percentile from any of Europe's top five leagues. However, some have claimed that Arsenal will solely be remembered for utilising set pieces this season instead of their incredible teamwork and defensive dominance.

Carragher, meanwhile, has lambasted that stance. Speaking on Sky Sports alongside Thierry Henry and David Jones, the Liverpool legend said: "Some of the nonsense that's been spoke about Arsenal from other people in the game about, 'Should there be an asterisk around their name if they win the league,' or, 'I don't recognise them as title [winners],' is absolute nonsense.

"We analyse football teams on this show every week, all season, every year. There's no right or wrong way to play football, it's about being the best at what you do.

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"And right now, whether you like it or not as an Arsenal supporter, they're going to be remembered as a set piece team.

"When they win the league, in 10 years time, people will say, 'It was only set pieces or whatever.' But how could he [Arteta] take on Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola - two of the best teams in European football at that time - with less, maybe, wages or less spend at that time?

"He had to find another way, and he's done it."

Arsenal have also thrived in Europe this season on top of their domestic dominance, finishing first in the league phase of the Champions League standings and automatically qualifying for the round of 16.

Elsewhere, impressive displays in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup have opened the door for a potential quadruple this season, should the Gunners hold their mettle. Up next for the side is a Champions League last 16 second-leg clash with Bayer Leverkusen come Tuesday evening.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at the BayArena last week, with home advantage on Arteta's side when the game at the Emirates Stadium gets underway at 8pm.

The Gunners then face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final come Sunday, March 22, where they will hope to claim their first bit of silverware for an impressive season by all accounts.