Jamie Carragher claims Arsenal won't win the Premier League because of four 'average' players

Jamie Carragher has boldly claimed that Arsenal won't win the Premier League because of four 'average' players.

The Gunners returned to the top of the table following their last-gasp 1-0 win over Brentford on Saturday.

New signing Kai Havertz silenced his critics in the 89th minute when he stole in at the back post to head home the winning goal.

However, former Liverpool defender Carragher doesn't believe Arsenal's attack will stand the test of time, calling out four first-team players who have experienced a drop-off in form this season.

Speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, Carragher said: "We are only a third of the way through the season but if this is the Arsenal we are going to see this season I don't think they can win the league.

"So many games are going to the wire and sometimes they can go against you. Those 1-0 wins could easily be 1-0 defeats. There isn't the same pace and fluidity, creating chances and I don't think it is anything tactical."

Carragher added: "I am still seeing the same things from Arsenal. I just think individually the attacking players have been average whereas they were on fire last season.

"Martinelli, Saka, Jesus and Odegaard, who was up there with Kevin De Bruyne last season. I know he (Odegaard) has had some injury problems but the stats aren't great."

Saka is the only player to manage more than four goal contributions in the league so far this term, with all four players reaching double figures for goals last campaign.

However, former Arsenal midfielder Freddie Lungberg has suggested the drop-off in goals is due to the way other teams are approaching the north London side.

"Last season they were a bit quicker offensively and sharper with how they moved the ball," Ljungberg explained. "But other teams now have more respect for Arsenal. They now approach facing Arsenal in the same way they would facing Manchester City.

"It is to destroy what Arsenal are doing and that makes it harder for them to create chances. They are ready to challenge for the title and could be the closest challengers. But you almost have to be 10 points ahead of City at Christmas because they come on so strongly in the spring."

Topics: Arsenal, Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher, Mikel Arteta, Premier League, Manchester City, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Football

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno