Jamie Carragher Names Player Who Could Cost Arsenal The Premier League

Jamie Carragher has named the “major obstacle” that would prevent Arsenal from winning their first Premier League title since 2004.

Arsenal have finished second in each of the last three Premier League seasons.

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City leapfrogged Mikel Arteta’s side in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns and Arne Slot’s Liverpool beat the Gunners into first place last season.

Arsenal are once again mounting another title charge after their blistering start to the season.

Arteta’s side have won six of their opening eight league matches and are the Premier League leaders, three points ahead of second-placed Man City.

This summer, Arsenal have recruited heavily, adding goals and style to their squad following the signings of Viktor Gyokeres, who scored three league goals, and Eberechi Eze.

Arsenal sit top of the Premier League table at this early stage. Image: Getty

Although Liverpool posed the biggest threat to Arsenal at the start of the season, given they won the championship in the 2024/25 campaign and spent over £450m on new players, Carragher insists Erling Haaland is the “major obstacle” stopping the north London side from winning the title.

Haaland is set to have another ultra-prolific season, having already scored 11 league goals in eight games.

Erling Haaland celebrates a goal for Manchester City. Image: Getty

In his column for The Telegraph, Carragher wrote: “Arsenal approached this season with concerns that Liverpool were the main obstacle to ending a 21-year title wait. Now their biggest fear might be Erling Haaland.

“Where Arsenal have the best team among the contenders and Liverpool have well-documented problems to resolve, Manchester City have the most influential player and dynamic striker.

“The Norwegian is the main reason why Pep Guardiola’s side have a great chance of regaining their crown. Without him, City’s most realistic goal would be to finish in the top four.

“I stand by my claim that Haaland is already the greatest goalscorer we have ever seen in England.”

Haaland is just four goals away from reaching his 100th Premier League goal.

He has scored an incredible 96 goals in 105 games since joining the Etihad.

The Norwegian goal machine has won two league titles with Man City and will aim to inspire his side to their 11th league title.