Bukayo Saka carrying 'too much responsibility' at Arsenal as Jamie Carragher tells Mikel Arteta what he must do to win Premier League title with Gunners

WHAT HAPPENED?

Arsenal have fallen short in their hunt for the Premier League title against Manchester City in two consecutive campaigns and they look some ways away from current league leaders Liverpool as Arne Slot’s side look like the outright favourites to win the title amid Pep Guardiola’s side’s struggles.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Gunners were dealt a further blow when Arteta revealed Saka may be out for around two months with a hamstring injury, depriving them of a player with five goals and 10 assists in the Premier League this season. Reds legend and pundit Carragher believes Arsenal have been dependent on Saka and are in dire need of a few more attacking options if they are to win the title.

WHAT CARRAGHER SAID

In his column with The Telegraph, Carragher wrote: "Regardless of whether they miss out this season, Arsenal will need to freshen up in 2025. They are short in attacking areas when compared to Liverpool and Chelsea. Where Slot has five attackers to choose from (when everyone is fit) – and many of them are of a different profile – Arteta has been too reliant on the same players, none more so than Bukayo Saka. Every side would miss a player of his class, but the reaction to Saka’s hamstring injury shows he has carried too much responsibility.

"Arteta needs at least two more top attacking players. I am not talking about back-ups in the event of injury, but starters who will keep the opposition manager guessing as to what the starting XI will be.

"For the last few transfer windows Arteta has prioritised defenders. The theme of this season is whether the balance has tipped too far that way. It is a fair argument that something has been lost in attack in making Arsenal a more resolute side. The next phase of their development is to add goals while maintaining the security at the back which has been there recently."

WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

The Gunners will return to action when they take on Brentford at Emirates Stadium on January 1 as they look to close down the six point gap to Liverpool, who have a game in hand.