Jamie Carragher insists lack of striker is NOT Arsenal’s greatest drawback as he highlights predominant space to enhance on MNF
- Carragher insisted that Arsenal’s lack of a striker is not their biggest problem
- The Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United on Sunday
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! With the Premier League likely securing five Champions League spots, are we rewarding mediocrity?
Jamie Carragher has insisted that Arsenal‘s lack of a recognised striker is not their biggest problem in comments made while appearing on Monday Night Football.
Speaking on Sky Sports ahead of West Ham United’s game at home to Newcastle United, Carragher revealed how he thinks Arsenal must improve elsewhere.
The Gunners suffered yet another blow in their bid for a first Premier League title in 21 years as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Despite being without attackers Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli due to injury, Carragher thinks Mikel Arteta‘s side are missing ‘more creative players’.
Analysing Arsenal’s game at home to the Hammers on February 22, Carragher pointed to their inability to create high-quality chances as a reason why they lost further ground in the title race.
The former Liverpool defender also highlighted their inefficiency in chance creation in Arsenal’s next game away to Nottingham Forest.
Jamie Carragher has insisted that Arsenal ‘s lack of a recognised striker is not their biggest problem
Carragher revealed how he thinks Arsenal must improve elsewhere while speaking on Sky
Summarising his thoughts on the matter, Carragher said: ‘Forget bringing in a number 9, the first thing they might have to do is more creative players’.
He elaborated by scrutinising the north Londoners’ inability to call Man United goalkeeper Andre Onana into action.
Carragher added: ‘If Arsenal would have had a number nine, let’s say Erling Haaland was playing for them. Would they have scored more goals? Of course they would, because he is a top striker and a great finisher.
‘But on the basis of [Arsenal’s last three games], with the best chances they have had, Erling Haaland doesn’t make any difference.
Carragher’s comments come after Arteta walked out of a TV interview when he was asked about Arsenal’s fading title hopes.
Reporter Patrick Davison stopped Arteta leaving his post-match interview once to ask about a final question about the title race, but the Spaniard refused to answer and made a hasty exit.
Asked in a separate press conference if Arsenal’s challenge is finally over, Arteta said: ‘I don’t want to say that, but today the frustration is we didn’t win a game and you are obligated to win every single match if you want a chance to do that.’
Arteta had seemed largely frustrated throughout the course of the interview, often interrupting Davison to give early answers.
Mikel Arteta stormed out his post-match interview after being probed on his side’s chances of winning the Premier League
The camera had to move as Arteta tried to leave early, and he cut a frustrated figure as he made a hasty exit from the chat.
He did so after Davison asked: ‘I have to ask you about the title race because it’s 15 points now, is it too much?’ Arteta responded: ‘No, thank you,’ before exiting.
Prior to their game against Manchester United, MailSport examined how Arsenal were fortunate score seven goals against PSV Eindhoven in the biggest away win ever recorded in the competition.
Against PSV, Arsenal’s highest-rated chance in terms of expected goals (xG) came when Calafiori scored his team’s seventh with his right foot from just under 12 yards out – garnering 0.36 xG.
By contrast, goals from Jurrien Timber and Leandro Trossard generated just over 0.16 xG despite both coming from inside the six-yard box.
As a result, Arsenal could consider themselves lucky to have put the tie to bed at such an early stage.
In the Netherlands, they only notched an expected goals total (xG) of 2.35 from 13 shots
Expected goals are determined by a number of factors to determine how likely a particular shot is to hit the back of the net when it is taken.
Factors include the type of assist leading to the attempt, whether it was a shot taken with the head or foot, the angle and distance of the shot, and whether it was determined as a big chance.
For instance, a rebound falling to a player in front of an open goal six yards out will have a high xG score, but a shot taken from 35 yards at a narrow angle will have a low xG score.
Expected goals are measured on a scale of 0.01 to 0.99 with a shot that has an xG rating of 0.5 meaning a player would be expected to score from the chance 50 per cent of the time.
