Liverpool are on course to beat Arsenal to the Premier League title after moving 13 points clear.
Arsenal were held to a stalemate against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night, while Liverpool cruised past Newcastle at Anfield.
The Gunners look defeated without their primary forward options, struggling to create the volume of chances required to overcome top flight opposition.
Meanwhile, the Merseysiders are flying on all cylinders, and are destined to enjoy a spectacular debut season under new manager Arne Slot.
Jamie Carragher compares Arne Slot to Arsene Wenger
Arsenal had hope of winning the title again after Liverpool slipped up in games against Everton and Aston Villa in recent weeks.
However, that hope has been completely diminished by the Gunners’ failings against West Ham and Forest.
Meanwhile, Liverpool stormed to comfortable victories over Manchester City and Newcastle in their last two games to re-establish an unassailable lead at the summit.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Jamie Carragher was asked which managers have enjoyed the best debut campaign in the Premier League, and the pundit responded by citing Slot and Arsene Wenger.
“I think Slot and maybe Wenger. It was his [Wenger’s] first full season,” the former Liverpool player said.
“Arsenal were a team who were finishing fifth and sixth before Wenger had been there, but to win the double in his first full season, Slot doing it without [time before a full season], I think Slot might win that.”
Wenger arrived at Highbury part-way through the 1996/97 season and steered Arsenal to a third-place finish.
The Frenchman then led the Gunners to the Premier League and FA Cup double in his first full season in N5.
Slot is looking to replicate this feat, and perhaps even surpass it.
The Reds should win the league from here, while they also have a League Cup final and a Champions League round of 16 tie to look forward to.
Arsene Wenger first season at Arsenal vs Arne Slot at Liverpool statistical comparison
While Wenger’s achievements in his first full term as Arsenal boss were remarkable, they pale in comparison to Slot’s statistically.
| Statistical Comparison (Premier League only) | ||
| Stat | Wenger at Arsenal 97/98 | Slot at Liverpool 24/25 |
| Matches | 38 | 28 |
| Wins | 23 | 20 |
| Draws | 9 | 7 |
| Losses | 6 | 1 |
| Goals For | 68 | 66 |
| Goals Against | 33 | 26 |
| Points total | 78 | 67 |
| Point pace | 78 | 91 |
The landscape has certainly changed, with those at the top generally more dominant now a days, but Slot’s side are on for a spectacular season.
The Dutchman’s outfit are on course to finish with 91 points, 13 more than Wenger’s team managed in the 1997/98 season.
Meanwhile, the north-west team have already scored just two goals fewer than Arsenal did, with ten games remaining.
Carragher’s bold claim is probably justified.
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