‘Best Arsenal version’… Jamie Carragher pinpoints what Gunners must now do following dominant Man City display

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal fans will still be on cloud nine following their impressive 5-1 victory over Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta’s side provided a five-star performance at the Emirates, in what was a statement win for the Gunners.

There were several standout performers for Arsenal with the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly earning praise from fans for his performance.

Jamie Carragher meanwhile highlighted Declan Rice’s importance pre-match and the pundit’s prediction would come true as the midfielder picked up the MOTM accolade.

The former Liverpool man has since honed in on Arsenal’s display against the reigning champions, highlighting one big positive from the game.

Jamie Carragher claims Arsenal need to replicate ‘aggressive’ Man City display

Having started so brightly against Pep Guardiola’s side, many Arsenal fans would have been thinking the worst when Erling Haaland equalised.

The Gunners however did not let that affect them, snatching the lead back just a minute later through Thomas Partey.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football (03/02/2024-19:35), Carragher spoke on Arsenal’s mentality when it comes to conceding goals.

“I think it’s a conscious decision [to sit back] I think we’ve spoken a lot on this show about how Mikel Arteta and this Arsenal team are going about trying to win the league and it does feel when you’re watching them, that as soon as there’s a goal there’s this feeling of ‘we’re holding on to something’. And I think they’ve got to change. I think if Arsenal continue in that vein, it may come back to haunt them.”

The former England defender then went on to praise Arsenal’s reaction to the equaliser, particularly highlighting how aggressive their press was – claiming the Gunners need to replicate that more often.

“This is in the build-up to the third goal. Look at this now. six-v-six around the ball, they’ve got that cage around the ball and they’re not sitting back, not inviting them on.

“They’re not making the same mistake they made at 1-0, at 2-1. There’s six-v-six here, they try and win the second ball but behind it, it’s man-for-man at the back. High up the pitch, pushing on and being aggressive which is the best Arsenal version.

“This is the Arsenal version last season that I saw which was very close to winning the title and I think they’ve got a much greater chance of winning the title if this is the Arsenal we see week-in, week-out.”

Arsenal’s dominate stats vs Manchester City

Many Arsenal fans will agree with Carragher’s claims that Arteta’s side are so much better when they are on the front foot.

The Gunners were aggressive from minute one, which was shown when Leandro Trossard nicked the ball from Manuel Akanji for Martin Odegaard’s opener.

Man City simply could not live with Arsenal’s high intensity – something which is shown by Arsenal’s duel numbers.

If the Gunners can replicate ‘aggressive’ performances like that more often, especially in the big games, Arsenal may get Liverpool feeling nervous during the run-in.