Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta warned who could ruin title charge as Carragher makes Saka dig

Mirror Football brings you the latest news from Emirates Stadium as Arsenal prepare to face Wolves in the Premier League

Arsenal find themselves at a pivotal moment in the season that could ultimately decide whether it will be successful. Mikel Arteta’s side have the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to seven points when they face Wolves at Molineux on Wednesday evening, with rivals Manchester City taking on Newcastle in their next match on Saturday.

Arteta has confirmed that four Gunners stars will miss the trip to the West Midlands, although full-backs Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White will be available to face Wolves despite their respective fitness concerns.

There was more positive news from N5 on Tuesday with reports that star player Bukayo Saka has signed a new contract with the club. The 24-year-old winger extended his contract until 2031, becoming the club’s highest-paid player on more than £300,000 per week.

Now that the Gunners are still competing in all four competitions after mid-season, Mirror football looks at two of the biggest stories involving the people of North London.

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Carragher hits Bukayo Saka

Jamie Carragher indirectly called out Saka by saying Arsenal have no attacking superstars. The former Liverpool player, unlike many in the media who have questioned the Gunners’ mental strength, insists the biggest threat to them being crowned league champions is their lack of quality in the final third.

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He also suggested that Gunners talisman Saka is not a world-class player in the mold of a Mohamed Salah or Erling Haaland who can finally lead them to glory this season.

Speaking on The Overlap, Carragher said: “I made a comment about Arsenal about a month ago after picking my Premier League team of the season so far. People talk about their mentality, I actually think Arsenal have a great mentality.

“But their problem might be a lack of quality in the final third. When I look at Arsenal, I don’t think they have an absolute superstar among the front four or five players. I thought Saka and Odegaard were going to get there a few years ago.

“I thought they were ready to become almost the best players in the Premier League. I still don’t think Arsenal have one.

“So people talk about mentality with Arsenal but what I think could stop them (in the title race) is actually quality. I think we would all agree that Arsenal are the better team this season, but Man City have been there before, even though they’re not a vintage city.

Keown faces ‘pressure’ accusations

Wayne Rooney has blamed Martin Keown and other former players turned pundits for making the team more nervous. Arsenal players have had their mentality repeatedly questioned in recent years, having failed to cross the finish line and win that elusive Premier League trophy three years in a row.

As the pressure mounts in the title race this season, many are wondering if they will fall short again, even though they have topped the table for most of the season. Manchester United legend Rooney believes Arteta’s players handle pressure well, but believes former stars like Keown and their fans are generating unnecessary noise which could derail their title bid.

Warning Arteta to block him, Rooney said on The Overlap: “For me, what’s happening is the Arsenal fans and ex-players coming out are killing them. They should keep quiet and let everyone talk.

“I heard Martin Keown on talkSPORT say that being six points ahead is better than nine (after Manchester City’s comeback against Liverpool). What are you talking about?!

“He’s an experienced (former) player who gets nervous. I actually think Mikel Arteta deals with that brilliantly with the way he speaks with the media. It’s other people connected to the club who actually have more of an effect.”

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