Jamie Carragher has delivered a stark warning to Arsenal, claiming the only team capable of denying them the Premier League crown is Arsenal themselves.
North London Derby Dominance
The Gunners significantly strengthened their title credentials with an emphatic 4-1 victory over rivals Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. This crucial win, combined with Manchester City's surprising stumble against Newcastle, propelled Mikel Arteta's side to a commanding six-point lead at the Premier League summit.
Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Liverpool defender analysed the title race. He stated: "The only team that can stop Arsenal winning the league is Arsenal; they are the best team. They are the best squad."
The Mental Battle Ahead
Carragher pinpointed psychological factors as the potential downfall for the North London club. He expressed concern about the team's mentality and the possibility of a nervous atmosphere at the Emirates if the title race remains tight later in the season.
"The only thing that can stop them is their own heads, their own mentality," Carragher continued. "Maybe this crowd getting nervous in March and April, if the league is still up for grabs by then."
He emphasised that unlike previous campaigns where other teams were simply better, failure this season would be viewed differently. "This would be the one. If they didn't win it, I think we'd all point the finger at them and say, 'You threw this away'. I don't think that's ever been the case before," Carragher added.
Arteta's Cautious Approach
Despite the growing optimism among fans, manager Mikel Arteta is refusing to get carried away. When asked about the significance of a six-point lead at this stage, he offered a measured response.
"In this league? Not much," Arteta cautioned. "We are doing really well. We've been really consistent and that's it. I mean, when you look at the results, whether they win or lose, the difference in the scoreline and actually what happens in games is really small."
Arsenal's next challenge is a heavyweight clash against second-placed Chelsea. A victory in this fixture would see them extend their lead at the top to a formidable nine points, further intensifying the conversation about their title destiny.
