ARSENAL have gotten “cocky” in the title race, claims Jamie Carragher.
The Gunners have seen their lead at the top eroded to just four points in recent weeks, with title rivals Manchester City possessing a game in hand.
Mikel Arteta’s side have surrendered two-goal leads in their last two matches – drawing 2-2 at Liverpool and then West Ham.
Following their draw at the London Stadium, Carra refuted claims that Arsenal are “bottling” the title – instead believing that they have become over-confident.
Appearing on Monday Night Football, the 45-year-old said: “What I would say is when in the run-in for a title, always a question mark over team who haven’t done it before.
“Have they got the nerve? When they lose a game or drop points have they bottled it?
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“This idea they have bottled it or haven’t held their nerve I think it is completely the opposite because when you talk about someone getting nervous in a run-in you can’t play as well as they did in first 30 mins at Anfield or West Ham if they are going in tense, worried about fixtures – the football was out of this world.
“The problem over the last two weeks is they got complacent, they got cocky, that game was so easy.”
Manchester City host Arsenal next week, in a match that could see Pep Guardiola’s men move within one point of top spot with a game in hand.
Carra by no means thinks the Gunners are “out of it” at this stage – but has warned that they must guard against complacency.
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He added: “The only way Arsenal put themselves in trouble is getting complacent, getting cocky, a little bit arrogant.
“The game became so easy, Gabriel Jesus was at right-back for five minutes.”
Carragher’s fellow Sky pundits Roy Keane and Gary Neville squabbled at the weekend over whether Arsenal will still have had a successful season if they slip to second.
The latter opined: “This title race always started at Anfield. Look at the fixtures.
“But they would have snapped your hand off to be in this position at the start of the season. Arsenal finishing second would still be an unbelievable season.”
Keane, 51, scoffed: “No chance. They’ve been top of the table all season. It would be a terrible season.
“They’re out of every cup competition. 2-0 up this week, 2-0 up today. It’s a huge disappointment.”
And Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink backed Keane up, adding: “Everyone will get stronger next year. They might not be in this position. It would be a disaster.”
Arsenal are next in action on Friday night, when they welcome bottom side Southampton to the Emirates.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
