Jamie Carragher warns Mike Arteta’s Arsenal over comparisons with Spurs | Football

Despite an impressive start to the season, Arsenal’s hopes of ending the season with silverware have taken a huge hit after a nightmare week, both domestically and in Europe.

The Gunners relented top spot in the Premier League last weekend after a slip-up at home against Aston Villa before crashing out of the Champions League after a quarter-final defeat to Bayern Munich.

Arsenal did win the FA Cup in 2020 but are now in danger of ending another season – Arteta’s fourth full campaign in charge – without a trophy.  

Having faltered in the final stretch of the Premier League last season, Carragher believes comparisons may soon be made with their north London rivals Spurs who, endured years of near misses under the tutelage of Pochettino.

Under the Argentine, Tottenham finished third and second in successive league seasons between 2015-17, accruing more points than any other team but ultimately failing to lift silverware.

‘Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are in danger of becoming Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs; a side to be admired for nearly being great,’ Carragher said in his column for The Telegraph.

‘It is damning with faint praise to say Arteta, just like Pochettino during his spell at Spurs, deserves more respect and credit for making Arsenal challengers than criticism in the event of falling short.

‘Recognition for doing such a good job will be no consolation if history judges Arteta’s reign without a Premier League or Champions League on his CV.’

Carragher also went on to pinpoint the area Arsenal must address in the summer transfer window if they are to make the latest evolution in their side.

‘Arsenal now need a player of Rice’s calibre in attack. They are the top scorers in the top division, but have been goalless in five league games, and were unable to find a way through in the Allianz Arena in midweek,’ he said.

Arsenal return to league action against Wolves at the weekend but face tricky games on the horizon against Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United as they look to overturn Man City’s two-point advantage at the top of the table.

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