Jamie Carragher claims Arsenal would be the most criticized runners-up in history if they don’t win title 

All eyes will be on the Etihad tomorrow as Arsenal look to keep their cushion over Manchester City and the rest of the Premier League. The league won’t be won or lost on Sunday, but Jamie Carragher has warned the Gunners of what is to come if they don’t end up breaking their 22 year domestic league title drought.

Match of the year from the Etihad

Even when they looked like the clear favorites to win the league, they were a heavily criticized side because of how they win their games. In open play, they are not the most entertaining side. They used set pieces, and what some call dark arts to get to the top of the league, but that cushion is starting to flatten as Manchester City close in on Mikel Arteta’s team in the final stretch of the season.

When you are winning that criticism doesn’t matter too much, but all of the sudden it seems like these tactics aren’t effective as they used to be. “For seven months, Arsenal supporters have tolerated increasingly unconvincing victories more than they have embraced them. There has been an ‘end justifying the means’ mood at the Emirates,” said the former Liverpool defender in his column with The Telegraph.

On both sides of the international break, they saw two of the four titles up for grabs disappear. A Caraboa Cup final loss to Manchester City was the first trophy that slipped through their fingers, then Southampton stunned them in the FA Cup. Shortly after that a loss to Bournemouth at home opened the door to Manchester City controlling their own destiny from not until the rest of the season.

Will history repeat?

Now it seemingly all comes down to this weekend’s match against City, and Carragher reminded everyone that they were in a similar situation not too long ago. “We should remember that Arteta chose to redesign Arsenal because of a harrowing experience at the Etihad in 2023,” Carragher reminded his readers.

That year they lost to City 4-1 at the Etihad and Pep Guardiola’s side took control of first place from Arsenal at the end of that match, and held on to win the title. This year history has a chance of repeating itself, and Carragher has warned Arteta and Arsenal this would be a historic collapse with plenty of consequences.

“Arteta’s vision is now one monumental win against a title rival from paying off. His problem is that failure will be received so unsympathetically that Arsenal’s supporters would make their team the most criticised runners-up in history,” claimed Carragher.

Related stories

Spain

Spain's oldest trophy celebrates yet another final

Premier League

Frimpong goes Giannis after Liverpool left without trophy 

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.