Arsenal handed Premier League title warning as Jamie Carragher offers theory

Arsenal’s bid for the Premier League could be a case of one step forward, two steps back, says Jamie Carragher. Under Mikel Arteta’s leadership, the Gunners have made significant strides. Two years ago, they finished five points behind champions Manchester City and sat just two points adrift last time out. This term, they were expected to clinch the crown finally.

However, the reality so far has been quite different. Despite it being relatively early in the campaign, the Gunners are lagging behind, nine points off leaders Liverpool. Defeats to Bournemouth and Newcastle, along with a draw against Liverpool, have seen them lose ground on the Reds. A 1-1 draw against London rivals Chelsea didn’t help their cause either.

Sky Sports’ Carragher compared Arsenal’s situation to one he experienced multiple times at Anfield, cautioning Arteta’s men that they might take a step back this season instead of moving forward.

“[Arsenal] reminds me of what happened when I was at Liverpool,” Carragher said on the Stick to Football podcast brought to you by Sky Bet.

“You’d have a season where you come second, have a really good points total, and everyone automatically thinks the next thing is to do that [finish first]. One season under Gerard Houllier we lost out to Arsenal for the league, and the next season we finished fourth or fifth.”

Carragher was first referring to the 2001/02 season, when Arsenal edged out Liverpool, by seven points, ending their hopes of a treble as the defender’s side had already clinched the FA Cup and UEFA Cup. They would finish miles off the pace in fifth the following term, reports the Mirror.

“Then, with Rafa Benitez, we chased Man United all season, only lost twice, and you think the next step is to win it, but we finished fifth,” Carragher added, reflecting on the 2008/09 campaign under Benitez when the Reds finished second, narrowly missing out on top spot by four points.

“It [winning the league] doesn’t naturally happen just because Arsenal finished second,” he concluded. “Sometimes, it can go the other way.”

After the international break, Arsenal – level on points with Nottingham Forest – are set to battle it out with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side at the Emirates, with subsequent fixtures against West Ham and Manchester United also looming on their schedule. All are must-wins should the Gunners wish to reverse Carragher and Liverpool’s past failures.