Jamie Carragher’s opinion is that Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League this season will be jeopardized by problems with their goalkeeper and striker.
Mikel Arteta’s team experienced their inaugural Premier League loss of the season when Newcastle United secured a contentious 1-0 win at St James’ Park on Saturday evening.
Arteta strongly criticized the decision to validate Anthony Gordon’s winning goal, labeling it as a ‘disgrace’ and an ’embarrassment,’ as it passed through three VAR checks before being upheld.
During the match, Arsenal managed only one shot on target, and Carragher opines that Arteta’s squad doesn’t exhibit the same level of attacking fluidity as they did in the previous season.
Carragher also branded David Raya a ‘huge problem’ and suggests the Spaniard will cost Arsenal in the Premier League title race this term.
‘I feel like I’m watching a different team,’ Carragher told Sky Sports.
‘They’re more solid defensively, but they’re not as fluid and they’re creating as many chances.
‘Have Arsenal got a centre-forward and a goalkeeper who can win you the league? I don’t think they have. When you think of vital positions where teams win leagues, it’s in both boxes.
‘It wasn’t a mistake as such to replace Aaron Ramsdale, as Ramsdale wasn’t going to win you the league. But the guy he’s chosen right now to come in is absolutely all over the place.
‘I think bringing in Declan Rice has improved them but they’ve not moved the dial with the goalkeeper. They don’t seem as fluid, and it’s not just about the players they’ve brought in.
‘The ones who were playing out of their skin last season are not quite firing this season.
Don’t let it get lost in all the VAR stuff of the Arsenal goalkeeper again making another mistake. This is now a massive problem for Mikel Arteta.
‘This is a huge problem. He’s made the same mistake he made as he did a couple of weeks ago against Chelsea. He got away with it against Sevilla, but he’s not got away with it here.
‘The goalkeeper just keeps edging and edging forward. When the ball leaves Willock’s foot again, the goalkeeper is outside his near post. This is a recurring theme with this goalkeeper.
‘Then he finds himself out of position, he can’t then reach, and it has a knock-on effect on the foul. I think Gabriel is stooping as he thinks the ball is going to evade the goalkeeper. The talk will be about VAR, everyone will be talking about it, but Raya is a huge problem.’