Previous to going through Manchester United throughout final weekend’s blockbuster Premier League encounter at Outdated Trafford, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal had been unbeaten of their first 4 Premier League video games of the brand new 2022-23 season.
Regardless of coming into Sunday’s mammoth tie as crimson sizzling favourites, Erik ten Hag’s Crimson Devils had been in a position to get the higher of their long-time rivals by successfully counter-attacking.
Objectives from debutant Antony and a brace from Marcus Rashford ensured the 20-time league winners would take all three factors after profitable 3-1.
Nonetheless, no matter the crushing defeat, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes that the Gunners are nonetheless the closest aspect to champions Manchester Metropolis.
“I’ve been actually impressed with them [Arsenal], I simply don’t know if they have the squad,” Carragher stated on Sky Sports activities’ Overlap Fan Debate.
“After I truly watch Tottenham or Manchester United this season – they’re getting the outcomes the identical kind of means. Large, sturdy, highly effective, powerful to beat.
“However once I watch Arsenal, it’s quick, energetic and I’m excited watching them. However may what occurred yesterday occur too typically?
“However the extra spectacular staff, after we speak about how the sport is performed like proper now, as a technical sport, and what Liverpool and Man Metropolis have accomplished during the last 4 or 5 years, Arsenal are nearer to that than say Tottenham or United.”
The Gunners’ subsequent 5 fixtures will both show Carragher proper or completely exhibit precisely why he was proper to have the considerations he has.
Scheduled to compete within the Europa League twice of their subsequent 5 video games, Arteta should discover a means for his comparatively modest squad to compete on a number of fronts.
Upcoming fixtures embody an away tie towards FC Zurich, a home residence tie towards Frank Lampard’s struggling Everton, and one other residence sport towards PSV again within the Europa League earlier than the Londoners journey to tackle cross-town rivals Brentford. The Gunners’ fifth sport, which is scheduled for the beginning of subsequent month, would be the first North London Derby of the season.
