Jamie Carragher has suggested Arsenal's title hopes rest on the performances of defensive stalwarts William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and David Raya.
Carragher says defence more important than Gyokeres' effortsGunners need "final step, not a huge leap" for titleLiverpool and Arsenal face off on SundayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Carragher made the observation in his regular column for Looking ahead to Sunday's mouthwatering clash between the two top teams in last season's Premier League, the Sky Sports pundit praised the "consistent excellence" of Arsenal's main men at the back. While he was quick to clear up that he was not criticising new arrival Gyokeres, he said Saliba, Gabriel and Raya will be the foundation upon which the Gunners challenge for an elusive Premier League crown.
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Carragher pointed out that while Liverpool appear to be in something of a transition, bedding in several new attacking players that has left them somewhat leaky at the back, Arteta's side look tactically similar compared to last year. The Anfield legend went on to suggest that while Gyokeres' signature was needed to unlock games against lesser teams – Arsenal scored 17 fewer goals than the Reds last term, drawing 14 matches – he suspects Arteta would have started Kai Havertz for the marquee fixture.
WHAT CARRAGHER SAID
Carragher wrote: "Should Arsenal finally win the Premier League this season, their success will be built on the consistent excellence of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and David Raya, not the transformational qualities of new signing Viktor Gyokeres.
"As Mikel Arteta’s side head to Anfield for the first title head-to-head, that observation is intended as a compliment to the brilliant central defensive duo and a fine goalkeeper, rather than a criticism of the £64m striker.
"Two games into a season is no time for harsh judgments or sweeping generalisations, but the biggest takeaway of the opening fortnight is this: the key battleground appears to be between 'typical Arsenal' and a different, transitional Liverpool.
"That is one of the biggest reasons why there should be more confidence at the Emirates that this is their time. Arsenal have a great chance to win the league by doing the same things they have done for the past three years.
"They need a final step, not a huge leap to get to their promised land. The ultimate triumph might be a consequence of being just a little better, or their closest rivals being ever so slightly worse."
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Arsenal have the opportunity to lay down a marker in the title race when they head to Anfield on Sunday. Their stellar defence, which is yet to concede a goal this season, will be even more important as the Gunners make the journey without Bukayo Saka and Havertz, while Martin Odegaard faces a late fitness test. Raya, Saliba and Gabriel will need to be at their best to stave of a stellar Liverpool attack that has bagged seven goals in two league games this term.