Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal will finish second in the Premier League again this season – unless manager Mikel Arteta sees two new signings arrive in the January transfer window.
The Gunners are six points behind Liverpool with an extra game played after a nail-biting win against Ipswich Town on Friday night and with star man Bukayo Saka sidelined for a few months due to surgery on a torn hamstring, Arteta looks light on firepower in front.
So Carragher is tipping his former club to win the title, with Arsenal second best and Chelsea in this spot.
“Arsenal's biggest problem at the moment is their injuries,” he wrote in his latest Telegraph column. “They have managed to avoid too much disruption over the past two years, but their squad is overloaded this time.
“But I speak with my head and heart when I say Liverpool will lead them to first place. Arne Slot's attacking options are the strongest in the Premier League. My only concern for Liverpool is whether they suffer injuries to their big players. “
“If they can avoid them, they will be difficult to catch. Chelsea will finish third and despite their problems, I see Man City finishing last in the Champions League.”
And Carragher went on to say that the Gunners need to add a few more top strikers in the January transfer window if they are to find a way to usurp Slot's men.
“Arteta has been too dependent on the same players, none more so than Bukayo Saka,” he added. “Arteta needs at least two more top players. I'm not talking about back-ups in case of injuries, but about starters who leave the opposition manager in the dark about what the starting XI will be.”
Arsenal don't play again until New Year's Day when they make the short trip to Brentford. The Bees tasted defeat at home for the first time all season against Nottingham Forest last weekend, but still have the joint-best home record in the division alongside Liverpool.
“Salah's goals and assists are always fantastic and there is no greater admirer of his talent than me, regardless of what his fan base on social media might say,” Carragher added.
“Salah has stated in the past that he wants to become the second African to win the Ballon d'Or, after George Weah in 1995. I think he has a great chance.”