Carragher says the Gunners are missing a world class option in attack (Picture: Getty)
Jamie Carragher is not convinced Arsenal have a ‘world class’ attack, pinpointing Gabriel Martintelli as a player who is ‘really struggling’ this season.
The Gunners missed the chance to move top of the Premier League on New Year’s Eve after defeat to Fulham – their second defeat in a week having also been beaten at home to West Ham United.
Arsenal’s first-choice front three has scored 20 goals between them with Bukayo Saka scoring (nine), Gabriel Jesus (seven) and Martinelli (four) with Martin Odegaard also contributing with seven.
Arsenal have also been outscored by the sides around them with Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Tottenham all scoring more.
Not convinced by their efforts in the final third, former Liverpool defender Carragher believes Arsenal are missing a world class operator like Mohamed Salah or Erling Haaland which will ultimately cost them in the Premier League title race
He told Sky Sports: ‘Are they a little bit too organised in attack? When is the last time you remember that front three or Odegaard scoring a worldie, or going on a dribble and doing something that makes us go “wow”.
‘It looks very organised but a little bit too much for me in that way.
Arsenal missed the chance to go top on Sunday (Picture: Getty)
‘What Arsenal have is four top players. I have no doubts. The criticism we have of them is they are not world class. And do I believe they can become world class? I think Saka can.
‘In this league, Liverpool won titles because they have Mohamed Salah. City won titles in the past because they had [Sergio] Aguero and now they have Erling Haaland.
‘Is that enough for Arsenal to win a title? Are any of them world class right now to take them to a title? I would say no.’
Carragher also identified Martinelli as someone whose form has suffered this season.
‘Out of the front four, he is the one that is really struggling,’ Carragher continued.
‘They had [Granit] Xhaka in that position [last season], that fixed eight on the left. Now, it has been [Leandro] Trossard, sometimes Declan Rice. [Kai] Havertz has played there. I don’t think that is helping Martinelli.’
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‘When is the last time you remember that front three scoring a worldie?’