27 September 2023 , 14:03
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Jamie Carragher has conceded he has feared for Arsenal's title hopes ever since their meeting with Manchester City in the Community Shield back in August.
The Gunners have enjoyed a positive start to the season and remain undefeated in all competitions after seven games, but actually find themselves a point worse off than they were at the same stage last year. Morale around the Emirates isn't as high as it once was after Sunday's north London derby draw against fierce rivals Tottenham.
Despite taking the lead twice, Mikel Arteta's men were held to a 2-2 draw and the Spaniard cut an agitated figure on the touchline. The Arsenal boss is famed for his touchline behaviour and Carragher has claimed that his behaviour is actually too the detriment of the Gunners.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, the Liverpool legend claimed: “I noticed in the Community Shield – and something stuck with me – and I said that I felt like I was watching Arsenal in the run in and it’s only the start of the season with the celebrations, or it feels like every game is going to the wire.
“I remember [Mikel] Arteta on the touchline after about 20 minutes, he was like a lunatic to the referee because he hadn’t booked a City player. I know there's a big rivalry, but I almost thought that it was too intense for the stage. You’ve got another 10 months of this!
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“I’ve been there with Liverpool. Arsenal fans will feel like they can’t win the league now because they’ve dropped points in two home games. That’s what [Manchester] City do to you, and we are probably looking at one of the best teams the Premier League has ever seen, maybe the best if they win it again.
“With Arsenal, because of last season being in such a good position – and they’re not going to be in that position again in terms of winning around 50 points out of the first 57 or something mad – I think it’s that much of missing out last season, and they’re that intense now.”
His sentiments were echoed by fellow pundit Gary Neville, who suggested the idea of being over-emotional has translated through to the players. The former Manchester United defender cited the celebrations after Bukayo Saka's penalty against Spurs on Sunday.
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Mikel Arteta has been accused of being overly emotional"I don't like this idea of 'over-celebrating' because you are suggesting people shouldn't show passion," Neville claimed. "They celebrated after Saka's goal and I was thinking they had been there for 30 seconds to a minute and nobody is grabbing them.
"Before the second goal went in a minute later, I am saying they need to get back and focus. I know it is a fine line but someone would usually be having a word."
Roy Keane opted to focus on Arteta and conceded there are traits of the Arsenal boss that he is not exactly fond of. "He is doing a good job but he does things I don't like," the United icon explained.
"Sometimes you look at the staff and think it is over the top' When there are 28 staff hugging each other, and the bus driver and the chef, you think 'hold on a second'.
"I am also critical of teams who don't celebrate so I don't mind the players doing it so much. But you have to be able to say it is done and switch back on. It is down to the manager to do that."