Jamie Carragher names Arsenal’s biggest title race edge – ‘Never seen anything like it’

Arsenal are top of the Premier League and have been in brilliant form this season, leading former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher to be very impressed by what he has seen

Jamie Carragher says Arsenal have one significant advantage in the Premier League title race against Liverpool. The Gunners are currently leading the pack, three points ahead of Manchester City after eight matches.

Mikel Arteta’s squad have chalked up six victories, one draw and a single defeat, which was a 1-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield in August. Despite what many perceived as a crucial victory over Arteta’s team, Liverpool have been floundering recently.

Arne Slot’s side have suffered four consecutive defeats across all competitions for the first time since November 2014. Three of these losses were in the league, leaving the Reds trailing Arsenal by four points in third place.

Former Liverpool defender Carragher has shared his insights on what makes Arsenal such a challenging opponent – highlighting their threat from set-pieces. Arteta’s team have earned a reputation for their prowess from dead-ball situations, with eight of their league goals this season coming from either corners or free-kicks.

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“I’m a Liverpool supporter, I’m watching Arsenal and every time they get a corner, my head is in my hands,” he said on the Sky Sports Premier League Podcast.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before in football. I think the whole football world feel every time they get a corner, they’re going to score a goal.”

Arsenal’s set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover, has earned a sterling reputation since his arrival in north London. The Frenchman, who previously honed his skills at Manchester City, is a familiar sight on the sidelines, energetically guiding the players on the pitch.

Arteta has been told that his team have become masters of the corner kick. But for the ambitious Spaniard, this accolade is not enough.

“We want to be the kings of everything. Set-pieces, the best in the world. High press, the best in the world. In open spaces, the best in the world. The best atmosphere in the stadium and the best at everything,” he said.

“We want to be the best at everything. We want to have the best academy, be the best at player development, recruit the best players, best coaches. That’s the aim.”

Arteta’s squad currently sit joint-top of the Champions League league phase table alongside defending champions Paris Saint-Germain and last year’s runners-up Inter Milan.

Carragher was hugely impressed by their commanding 4-0 demolition of Atletico Madrid on Tuesday and has completely revised his opinion on their European prospects following last season’s semi-final appearance.

“Right now I think Arsenal and Bayern are the two most impressive teams I’ve seen when you look at their performances domestically and what they’re doing in the Champions League,” he said on CBS Sports.

“I’ve said before on this show that I’ve never had Arsenal down as a Champions League club. I know that might sound obvious because they’ve never won it before but I’ve always thought there’s something about them that doesn’t connect, they’ve never really gone close.

“Thierry’s [Arsenal] team was the best team I ever played against in the Premier League and even that team didn’t come close enough to winning the Champions League. It wasn’t that team that got to the Champions League final.

“I do look at this team now and see how strong they are defensively. My Liverpool team that won the Champions League [in 2005] were not a great team attacking-wise but we were strong defensively.

“That always gives you a chance, especially when you get to the knockout stages and the two-legged ties. If you’re strong defensively you’ve always got a chance. So, yeah, I see Arsenal as one of the four or five teams that can win this competition.”

The Gunners are set to face Crystal Palace at home on Sunday afternoon, aiming to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League. Meanwhile, Liverpool could narrow the gap to Arteta’s squad before they take to the pitch this weekend, with a trip to Brentford on Saturday evening (8pm kick-off UK time) following their Wednesday game against Eintracht Frankfurt.

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