Jamie Carragher's worrying Arsenal comparison with Liverpool side that 'never won'

Jamie Carragher claims Arsenal are starting to remind him of the Liverpool teams he played in under Rafa Benitez and Gerard Houllier - who ultimately failed to win the Premier League. The pundit recalled how they "had the handbrake on" and believes Mikel Arteta is doing similarly.

The Gunners secured a late point against Manchester City courtesy of Gabriel Martinelli's stoppage-time strike. Pep Guardiola's side had taken an early lead through Erling Haaland and looked to sit back for the remainder of the game, narrowly missing out on the win.

However, it was another contest that saw Arsenal fail to make their dominance count. Carragher claims "they wasted 45 minutes" and accused Arteta of spending too much time thinking about how to combat the opposition, rather than making the most of what he has.

Arsenal invested heavily again in the transfer market and now have a squad boasting the likes of Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres. Despite the riches available, Carragher says Arteta's approach could be costly.

He said on Sky Sports: "For me that was a waste for 45 minutes and the reason I’m saying that is because I played for managers who did that at Liverpool.

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"We were really close, we were a top team but we never won the Premier League. I always felt at times under Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez maybe we had the handbrake on now and again in certain games. That is what Mikel Arteta is doing. Liverpool were there for the taking in that second half at Anfield. Man City were there for the taking at the start of this game and he’s allowed them to come into the game.

"It’s just a recurring pattern, season after season and if you’re Mikel Arteta or an Arsenal supporter you've just got to hope that doesn’t cost you at the end of the season because they are a brilliant team."

Arteta was called out for similar failings after the loss at Anfield several weeks ago, which saw the Reds score their winner in the final 10 minutes. Arsenal had opportunities to press home their advantage but ultimately failed. Gary Neville confessed that the north Londoners "at this moment in time haven't got that risk in their game, that courage to go and think they can win."

Sunday's stalemate at the Etihad means the Gunners are now five points behind Liverpool after just five games. Arteta is under increasing pressure to deliver silverware after finishing second in the top flight for the past three years.

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