Carragher warns Arteta's more attacking Arsenal are 'more vulnerable'
Jamie Carragher believes Mikel Arteta is facing a defining tactical choice this season, one that could determine whether Arsenal finally end a 92 year wait to retain the Premier League title while also chasing Champions League glory.
The Gunners played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, a result that leaves them with just one defeat in all competitions this season. That solitary loss came against Brighton in the Premier League, but Arsenal have responded since with contrasting performances, an attacking turnaround win over Leeds United, a grind it out 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest, and a dynamic 2-1 win over Chelsea.
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Writing in his column for The Telegraph, Carragher said the consensus is that improving on last season's title triumph requires Arsenal to play more adventurously while finding the extra quality needed to win the Champions League. He described Wednesday's draw with Bayern as a step in that direction.
“It was an end to end, entertaining game in the Allianz Arena. Arsenal's late equaliser was a work of art which undermined the accusation they do not produce enough silky, attacking football,” Carragher wrote.
Lacking 'stardust' up front
Despite praising the performance, Carragher was not convinced Arsenal currently have enough firepower to go all the way in Europe. “Even so, as it stands, it is difficult to make a compelling argument that Arsenal will win the Champions League without more stardust upfront,” he said. “They lack the weapons of the other European contenders, especially Paris St-Germain, so when the moment of truth comes against the very best in the knockout rounds, the likelihood is Arteta's side will lack the necessary ammunition.”
Carragher also referenced Arsenal's pursuit of Vinicius Junior in the summer transfer window, suggesting the Real Madrid forward would not have suited Arteta's defensively disciplined demands. “It would have been fascinating to watch Arsenal in the parallel universe in which Vinicius Junior signed, because it's unlikely he would have been tracking back at the City Ground last weekend,” he wrote. “Arteta demands his attackers embrace defensive responsibilities. That's his make up. Tactically, he remains more like Jose Mourinho than Wenger.”
The tactical dilemma
Arsenal conceded just two goals across the knockout stages on their way to last season's Champions League final, underlining defensive solidity as Arteta's greatest asset, though it ultimately fell short of delivering the trophy. PSG, the back to back European champions, have shown a very different approach, scoring four goals against both Barcelona and Manchester City during their run.
Carragher framed the decision facing Arteta in stark terms. “The fundamental question for Arteta right now is what can and should he do about it? Stick with a successful blueprint that has earned admiration and won the Premier League, or make the necessary tweaks which might make Arsenal more loved and a better watch every week, but also more vulnerable?” he wrote. “Staying on the current path he will almost certainly win another Premier League title. Shifting the balance more from defence to attack risks compromising the characteristics which have made Arsenal so dominant domestically.”
With Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City no longer the dominant forces they once were domestically, Carragher suggested that shift in the landscape may be giving Arteta the confidence to experiment with a bolder approach. How that balance plays out across the rest of the season is likely to shape Arsenal's prospects on both fronts.
