Arsenal are still looking to get over the line for the first time in more than 20 years but lead the Premier League with Manchester City again attempting to chase them down
Jamie Carragher insists Arsenal need to shut out any noise that may come from Manchester City – which ultimately came to haunt Liverpool back in the 2019 title race.
The Gunners have been the outstanding team thus far and hold a five point lead at the top of the Premier League. Despite their inconsistencies City are their closest challengers with Pep Guardiola seeking to wrestle back his crown.
The team from the Etihad have won the title in six of the past eight years – and recently the team they have been overcoming has been Arsenal. They pipped them to the title in 2023 and 2024 as the Gunners’ drought goes on. Liverpool finished second by a point six years ago before eventually getting over the line the following year.
In that title race Carragher recalls how City referenced Liverpool’s incredibly passionate desire to get over the line and end a long wait – a situation Arsenal face now – but that it eventually counted against them.
He wrote in the Telegraph: “Arteta’s coaching acumen is in no doubt. Getting Arsenal across the line is also about emotional management. City, especially, will play on that if they can.
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“During the title race in 2019, there were several choreographed remarks from the City camp suggesting Liverpool might “want it too much” and the anxiety of the supporters would make home games a hindrance more than a help. Arsenal should brace themselves for the same. They will see it as a cynical attempt to ramp up the pressure. That does not mean the observation does not have merit.
“When Jurgen Klopp did finally end Liverpool’s 30-year wait in 2020, the gap was so wide there was no time for long-standing worries to manifest themselves – the empty stadiums of Covid were also part of the equation.”
Almost none of these Arsenal players have won the Premier League and several will have been marked by scars of near misses. They took the 2024 title race to the final day, but couldn’t overcome City. Their last trophy was when they landed the FA Cup back in 2020.
Arteta has claimed that his side are among Europe’s elite, which is largely fair based on performances, but even he concedes they need the trophies to back that up.
He claimed earlier this year: “In terms of performance, when we look at the last three years of the Premier League, we are the team that has scored the most points. But we still need to win a major title. That’s what we’re missing, because the rest is done.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
