Jamie Carragher says the “only way” Arsenal will win the Premier League title from here is if Man City “go deep in the Champions League and FA Cup”.
The Gunners lost 3-1 to the Citizens on Wednesday night with Pep Guardiola’s side taking first place off their title rivals on goal difference.
Bukayo Saka levelled the match from the penalty spot after Kevin de Bruyne had given City the lead before Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland made sure of the points.
Arsenal still have their fate in their hands this season with Mikel Arteta’s men possessing a game in hand over City, while they have to travel to the Etihad to face their title rivals before the end of the campaign.
And now Liverpool legend Carragher has urged Arsenal ‘not to panic’ following the Manchester City defeat and says they need to hope City challenging on multiple fronts gives them an advantage towards the end of the season.
Despite their dominance in England, Man City are still searching for their first Champions League trophy, while they will be expected to go deep in the FA Cup after knocking out Arsenal in the previous round.
‘I think the big thing for Arsenal is not too panic,’ former Liverpool and England defender Carragher said on CBS Sports.
‘The only way I’ve ever felt Arsenal could win the league is if Manchester City go deep in the Champions League and FA Cup. They will probably get to the semi-finals of both of those competitions at least.
‘When it gets towards the end of the season, Man City could have so many games that even if Arsenal were level or two points behind, they could come late and clinch the title.’
Meanwhile, ex-Chelsea striker Chris Sutton says Arsenal need to ‘keep believing’ despite their poor recent run.
‘People will say they are bottling it,’ he told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast. ‘Everybody will be talking about how the pressure is really on.
‘But they aren’t bottling it – City were just more streetwise. In the first half, Arsenal showed how good they are. In that Arsenal dressing room, they have to keep thinking they are still in it.
‘It’s much better for them to be believing and confronting the challenge, rather than thinking about hiding.
‘It’s clearly a massive blow, how will they recover? Yes they have a game in hand but I thought City were excellent in the second half. They’ve flexed their muscles and said to Arsenal “we are the team to beat”.
The Premier League title rivals both return to action on Saturday, with Arsenal travelling to Aston Villa and Manchester City visiting Nottingham Forest.
