Arsenal needed a stoppage-time equaliser from Gabriel Martinelli to earn a point against Manchester City to move within five points of Liverpool in the Premier League title race
Stephen Killen Senior Football Writer
07:00, 22 Sep 2025
Jamie Carragher has been critical of Liverpool title rivals Arsenal.(Image: Sky Sports Football/X)
Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane have raised concerns over Arsenal as they look to compete with Liverpool in the Premier League title race. The Gunners snatched a late point in their showdown with Manchester City on Sunday as Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage time equaliser cancelled out Erling Haaland’s opener.
Arne Slot’s side have a five-point lead at the top of the table after their 2-1 win over Everton with Tottenham Hotspur, Bournemouth and the Gunners their nearest challengers after five matches. Liverpool overcame their rivals on Saturday and would have been watching proceedings in North London with intent as City were moments away from claiming victory at the Emirates Stadium.
Haaland’s first-half opener looked like it was going to be the difference until the Brazilian raced behind the City backline before lifting the ball over Donnarumma.
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With City, seemingly, in a transitional period, Arsenal have been tipped to be contenders for the Premier League title and challenge the holders.
While Liverpool have made the perfect start, their performances haven’t been at full-tilt but have still resulted in a 100 percent record so far. However, Arsenal’s recent showings are posing a concern to pundits, both Keane and Carragher noticed a lack of creativity from Mikel Arteta’s side which may impact their title aspirations.
“I can understand where Declan [Rice] is coming from. When you dominate a title rival as much as they did, you’re pleased in some ways because it’s not normal to see a game so one-sided,” said the former Liverpool defender Carragher.
“I can’t get away from the fact that Arsenal don’t look like they’re going to score a goal in open play, I felt that at Manchester United, Anfield and today, fair play they got the goal today but it has to be a big worry for Arsenal.
“They didn’t really look like scoring, that was a problem last season and it still looks like in these five games they’ve still got it.”
The former Manchester United midfielder Keane believes that Arsenal have shortcomings compared to Liverpool and the previous title-winning teams assembled by Guardiola.
Keane said: “We’ve said it many times, possession doesn’t win you football matches. We were watching the game, were they going to create something? We talk about the strength in depth, subs coming off the bench and having a big involvement in the goal but it’s the same issues.
“On one hand you give them credit, they keep going but the problem is when you’re talking about Arsenal winning league titles, when you see what Liverpool are doing, Man City have done, they’re still short. They’re a good team but the standards of the other teams, they still look short in that area.
“City are still trying to find their way, they’re not the same from two or three years ago, there’s a lack of belief in terms of their possession and pushing for a second goal.”
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