‘Nothing I have seen suggests Arsenal will implode’: Jamie Carragher gives Gunners the edge

Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal have what it takes to hold on to their lead in the Premier League title race and dismissed Manchester United’s hopes of finishing first.

Ahead of Sunday’s mouth-watering clash at the Emirates that could see United cut the gap to the league leaders to just five points or Arsenal further increase their lead at the top, Carragher has dissected both side’s title hopes.

The former Liverpool and England star believes Mikel Arteta’s high-flying Gunners are favourites to win the Premier League this season but issued a cautionary warning to any Man United supporters dreaming of a first league title under Erik ten Hag.

Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal have what it takes to win the Premier League this season

Carragher cooled talk of Man United mounting a title charge in the second half of the season

Carragher explained that Arsenal are ahead of Erik ten Hag’s United in their transition process

After Sky Sports partner Gary Neville insisted Arsenal would not win the title after their win over north London rivals Spurs last week, Carragher backed the Gunners to lift the title.

The former Liverpool defender wrote in The Telegraph: ‘Now Arsenal fit Arteta’s preferred vision of a fast, young, energetic side focused on ball retention, opening up teams when camped in their half as much as when moving through the gears from back to front. 

‘Ten Hag will know United are ready for the biggest honours when they have the same swagger. To get there United must prepare for bumps in the road as the transition continues.

Arsenal will host Manchester United at the Emirates in Sunday’s late Premier League kick-off

Manchester United are the only team to beat Arsenal so far this season having emerged victorious at Old Trafford in September

‘In the manager’s mind, this season – and possibly even the next one – will be about putting the solid foundations in place until he has a starting XI which he knows can execute any game plan.’

‘Arsenal are at that point first. They are on the threshold of being title winners and must show they can take that final step,’ he added.

Carragher’s predictions contrast recent statements made by Neville, who claimed that Arsenal won’t win the Premier League and will instead finish below his boyhood club.  

Man United manager Erik ten Hag (left) will take on Mikel Arteta’s (right) Arsenal on Sunday

Carragher’s comments contradict Gary Neville (pictured) who has backed Arsenal to finish beneath Manchester United

Neville said: ‘They won’t win the league. Manchester City will win the league, and I think Man Utd will finish second, and I know that will annoy Arsenal fans!

‘I’d rather Arsenal win the league than Man City. I think it would be absolutely sensational for the Premier League.

‘I’d love Man Utd to win it, but I don’t think that’s going to happen this season.’ 

Carragher’s comments come off the back of United missing the chance to pile the pressure on Arsenal heading into the weekend after Ten Hag’s Reds conceded late in their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

However, United have already defeated Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Man City this season, whereas the Premier League table-toppers are yet to play their closest chasers City.

Carragher believes that high-flying Arsenal show no glimpses of ‘imploding’ this season

Reigning champions Manchester City are Arsenal’s closest league challengers this season

Carragher feels that Arsenal are in control of their own destiny at the halfway stage in the season and suggested there is no evidence that the Gunners ‘will implode’.  

‘At the moment they are slight favourites because even with 19 games remaining, if they win their game in hand eight points is a big lead. 

‘If it extends to 10 or 11 rather than gets cut to six or five, Arsenal will enter ‘it is theirs to lose’ territory, piling the pressure on City to go on one of their long, winning runs to catch-up.

‘Nothing I have seen so far suggests Arsenal will implode.’