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Arsenal’s attacking talents are often overlooked due to their defensive brilliance but Jamie Carragher believes there is a reason why that’s the case.
The Gunners are the league’s top scorers and have yet to lose in Europe but most of the time, it is about their defensive work and set-plays when it comes to the praise they get.
Arsenal have scored 61 times in the Premier League this season. However, former Liverpool man Carragher believes Arsenal’s forwards are not at it.
Who has been Arsenal’s BEST attacking player this season?
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images Jamie Carragher claims none of Arsenal’s attackers have been good this season
Carragher has spoken at length about Arsenal this season and more often than not it’s been a mix of praise and criticism.
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Now, when discussing the current Arsenal side, Carragher has claimed the current team is not actually Mikel Arteta’s best, including the attackers.
“I don’t actually think we are looking at the best Arsenal team under Mikel Arteta. Look, they are the best team in the league but I don’t think they’re at their best,” Carragher commented in an interview with Manish Bhasin.
“I think the second half of the season two years ago, Arsenal were playing as well as anyone in Europe and they had a great mix of being solid and have more attacking flair. Odegaard was at his best, Saka was at his best.
“I don’t think there’s been one Arsenal attacker who can look at this season and come out and say ‘I’ve had a great season’. I don’t believe that, I don’t think anyone will. But listen, it’s all about winning and they need to get over the line. They’re still a brilliant team. They’re solid, great mentality. I think they’ve only lost four games in 50 which is an unbelievable record.”
Arsenal’s attackers in numbers this season
In fairness to Carragher, he’s not digging out the Arsenal forwards and the point he makes is actually correct.
This season has very much been a team effort and no Arsenal attacker has really shone so bright that they’ve outdone the others. Yes, Viktor Gyokeres deserves credit for his first season and has hit 16 goals in all competitions so far.
Beyond that, though, the numbers are quite low. Bukayo Saka only has nine, while Ebere Eze has eight.
Gabi Martinelli has scored just once in the league but does have six in Europe, which is a good effort on that front at least.
Beyond that, Leandro Trossard has just the seven to his name while the returning Kai Havertz has yet to score in the league, with his four goals coming in other competitions.
Still, when and if Arsenal do get over the line, it will matter little. Ultimately, the goal is to win the league and we are firmly on course for that.
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