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Arsenal may have splashed the cash on attacking reinforcements this summer, but Jamie Carragher believes any Premier League title success this campaign will stem from the defensive bedrock already established, rather than the Gunners' revamped forward line.
Mikel Arteta's side entered the summer transfer window desperately seeking a prolific striker following consecutive seasons of falling short in the title chase. Viktor Gyokeres has subsequently arrived from Sporting Lisbon, while Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze will also bring fresh attacking impetus after their moves from Chelsea and Crystal Palace, respectively.
Arsenal will make the trip to Liverpool on Sunday, aiming to gain an early advantage over the defending champion, who crowned Arne Slot's debut campaign in magnificent fashion by securing the title.
Carragher anticipates both teams will compete for top honors once more.
However, he believes the trio forming Arsenal's defensive spine - David Raya, Gabriel, and William Saliba - will prove the team's most potent weapon in the title battle.
"Should Arsenal finally win the Premier League this season, their success will be built on the consistent excellence of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and David Raya, not the transformational qualities of new signing Viktor Gyokeres," Carragher wrote in The Telegraph.
"As Mikel Arteta's side head to Anfield for the first title head-to-head, that observation is intended as a compliment to the brilliant central defensive duo and a fine goalkeeper, rather than a criticism of the £64m striker.
"Two games into a season is no time for harsh judgments or sweeping generalisations, but the biggest takeaway of the opening fortnight is this: the key battleground appears to be between 'typical Arsenal' and a different, transitional Liverpool.
"That is one of the biggest reasons why there should be more confidence at the Emirates that this is their time. Arsenal have a great chance to win the league by doing the same things they have done for the past three years."
Gyokeres enjoyed an exceptional scoring record in Portugal's premier division and is well-acquainted with English soccer after an impressive stint in the Championship with Coventry City. The striker scored twice in last weekend's win against Leeds.
However, Carragher remains convinced that Arsenal's defensive solidity could prove decisive in their pursuit of Premier League glory.
He continued: "No matter how many Gyokeres scores in his debut campaign, the true foundations of Arsenal's title challenge are familiar.
"Arsenal's defence is a different level to any other current Premier League team.
"Raya is yet to be beaten, and despite all the premature hype about Manchester United's improvement in the opening-day meeting at Old Trafford, at no stage did it look like Arsenal would concede."
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