Jamie Carragher is backing Arsenal’s “togetherness” to see them over the line in what is appearing to be an increasingly tight battle for a top-four finish.
The Gunners missed the opportunity to strengthen their grip on fourth place, as they were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool at The Emirates. Despite the defeat, Mikel Arteta’s side impressed and gave the title-challenging Reds a real run for their money.
Goals from Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino decided what was a pulsating encounter in north London, with the hosts more than playing their part. In fact, they could - and probably should - have taken the lead when Martin Odegaard saw a gilt-edged chance saved by Alisson.
The opportunity came with the scores level when Alexandre Lacazette latched onto an errant backpass by Thiago Alcantara. The Frenchman rounded Alisson before rolling the ball into the path of Odegaard, who saw his effort tipped over by the Brazilian No.1.
That ultimately proved to be the turning point, with Jota and Firmino at their clinical best to move Liverpool just one point behind Manchester City at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Arsenal remain a solitary point ahead of Manchester United, although they still have two games in hand.
West Ham and Tottenham are a further two points back, with the battle to secure a Champions League berth set to go down to the wire. But Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher is backing the Gunners to outlast their rivals - despite lacking what he claims, is an individual to do “special things”.
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In the past week, Spurs and United have both been boosted by their talisman’s exploits, firstly with Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick at Old Trafford, before Harry Kane played a starring role in Tottenham’s 2-0 win at Brighton. Regardless of that, Carragher thinks Arsenal’s ability as a team will be enough, suggesting they are a better team than the sides directly below them in the table.
“The fight for Arsenal is to finish in the top four,” Carragher said after the full-time whistle. “Forget Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City…the results have been poor against them.
“It doesn’t matter what your results are like against certain teams, it’s about how many points you get. They’re in a fight with Tottenham, West Ham, and Manchester United.
“The difference is, when I watch Arsenal tonight - I think Arsenal are a better team than Manchester United and Tottenham, but they’ve got individuals that can do special things like Harry Kane and [Heung-min] Son or Cristiano Ronaldo.
“That’s probably what they lacked tonight, Odegaard gets that chance, Harry Kane or Ronaldo put that in. But I think the way the team is set up, the togetherness, the way they play - it looks like a proper team. They are a well coached team and I think they’ll just do it.”
As for their opponents, Carragher feels that for the first time this season, they now have the momentum over long-time leaders Man City. He explained: “I think it is absolutely massive. I think everyone now connected with Liverpool Football Club thinks that they will go on and win the league. This is certainly the first time this season that I have believed that they can go on and win it.
“Manchester City are still there, and there is only a point in it, but I think the momentum Liverpool must have now, they could go top in their next game. You can see the reaction of the fans and the players."
