Arsenal are currently top of the Premier League as they look to mount a title challenge, but they have had their critics this season.
A 1-0 victory at Brentford saw them reach the summit again, having led the league for most of last season before their challenge collapsed following an injury to William Saliba.
Arsenal were a lot more free-flowing in attack last season, and fans have often bemoaned that the team no longer appears to be playing with the same gusto going forward, but they have improved defensively.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has now questioned whether this change in style will have bettered or worsened Arsenal’s title chances.
Jamie Carragher makes Arsenal title prediction
Speaking on Monday Night Football, Carragher pointed out that the drop-off in attack has meant that Arsenal’s games are a lot more marginal, and these results will be more difficult to sustain over the course of a season.
“We’re still only a third of the way through the season, but I think if Arsenal continue how they are, if this is the Arsenal we’re going to see this season, I don’t think they can win the league,” he claimed.
“I think so many games are going to the wire and sometimes that can go against you – you think of the Ramsdale mistake and the big chance Brentford had in the second half at the weekend.
“Those games that finish 1-0 can easily go 1-0 the other way.”
“For me, when we’re talking about a different Arsenal – we can see it with the stats, but everyone can see with their eyes.
“It’s not the same fluidity, the same pace, energy and creating chances – you can see that.”
Is Arsenal’s defensive style sustainable?
Given that Arsenal fans were treated to silky attacking football for years under Arsene Wenger, and also saw Mikel Arteta’s side score the most goals the club has recorded in a Premier League campaign last season, the change in fortunes going forward has been a tough one to adjust to.
Arsenal have the best defence in the Premier League right now, but going forward they have dropped off somewhat, and the game against Brentford highlighted how a lot of their games are now decided by small margins.
Arteta’s side could have lost given the chances Brentford had in the first half, and it took until the 89th minute before Kai Havertz netted the winner.
Although Arsenal being stronger at the back would bode well for a potential run-in, with last season’s defensive collapse paramount to losing the title, they will need the attack to start clicking alongside the solid base if they are to beat Manchester City to the Premier League.
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