Jamie Carragher has launched a blistering critique of Arsenal's dramatic Premier League title collapse, suggesting the Gunners' failure to maintain their championship charge exposes deeper issues within Mikel Arteta's squad management.
The Liverpool legend didn't hold back in his assessment of Arsenal's late-season stumble, which saw Manchester City clinch their fourth consecutive title while the North London outfit faded dramatically in the final weeks.
Nwaneri Snub Raises Questions About Arteta's Youth Policy
Carragher pointed specifically to Arteta's curious handling of teenage prodigy Ethan Nwaneri during Arsenal's crucial 2-0 victory over Everton on the season's final day. Despite the match being effectively a dead rubber with City already crowned champions, the Spanish manager opted against giving the highly-touted 17-year-old any minutes.
"It was the perfect opportunity to blood Nwaneri," Carragher argued on Sky Sports. "The game meant nothing, the pressure was off, yet Arteta chose experience over youth development. That tells you everything about where Arsenal are mentally."
Carragher's Choke Claim
The former England defender was particularly scathing about Arsenal's inability to handle the pressure when it mattered most. "This wasn't just a stumble - this was a full-blown collapse," he stated. "When the heat was on, Arsenal couldn't cope. They've been in this position before and failed again."
Carragher's analysis highlighted the stark contrast between Arsenal's free-flowing football during their early-season dominance and their nervy, constrained performances during the run-in.
Arteta's Transfer Market Dilemma
The criticism extends beyond mere mentality questions. Carragher suggested Arsenal's squad depth remains insufficient to compete with Manchester City's relentless machine.
- Lack of quality alternatives when key players like Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard faced fatigue
- Over-reliance on established stars rather than trusting emerging talents
- Inability to rotate effectively during crucial periods of fixture congestion
"City can bring on £50 million players from the bench while Arsenal are hesitant to give their most promising youngster minutes in a meaningless game," Carragher noted, emphasising the gulf in squad management between the two clubs.
What Next for Arsenal's Young Guns?
The Nwaneri situation particularly troubles Carragher, who sees it as symptomatic of a broader issue. "If you're not going to play your best young talent when there's nothing at stake, when will you?" he questioned.
This summer represents a critical juncture for Arteta's project. The manager must decide whether to fully integrate talents like Nwaneri into the first-team setup or risk stalling their development through continued bench warming.
As Carragher bluntly put it: "Arteta either trusts his youth system or he doesn't. Right now, the evidence suggests he doesn't believe they're ready - and that's a problem when you're trying to catch City."
