‘I fear for them’ – Carragher blasts Arsenal as ‘awful’ and worries for Arteta’s future with top-four hopes all-but over
JAMIE CARRAGHER fears for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta next season with the club poised to be playing in the Europa League.
The Gunners’ hopes of qualifying for the Champions League were all-but ended on Monday night following the 2-0 defeat away at Newcastle.
Arsenal now trail North London rivals Tottenham by two points heading into the final Premier League game.
Arteta‘s side must beat Everton at the Emirates and hope Norwich somehow beat Spurs at Carrow Road.
But it appears likely that Arsenal will be returning to Europe’s second-tier competition as opposed to their premier tournament for the first time since 2016.
And Sky Sports pundit Carragher believes that could prove detrimental for Arteta should his side start the next campaign poorly.
READ MORE ON ARSENAL
Speaking on Monday Night Football following Arsenal’s loss at St James’ Park, he said: “I thought they were awful.
“And I have been a big supporter of Mikel Arteta and this Arsenal team because since I have started at Sky I have got sick of saying the same things about Arsenal.
“I was sick of it myself. I actually enjoyed seeing young players I could get behind.
“I think the fans could get behind it. They almost accepted they would not be challenging for honours but there was something building.
latest arsenal news
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
“But that performance today was bad. That was a cup final today, we know how important Champions League is.”
On Europa League football, he remarked: “I think that is a problem not just this season but I think it is a huge problem for Mikel Arteta and this Arsenal team going forward.
“Europa League next season, Thursday, Sunday. I think they have had their opportunity this season – a big one – having no European football. That was a big advantage for them.
“They are not in the four best sides in the country but they had an advantage on the other teams and they still haven’t made it pay. I fear for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta next season.
“I think it is going to be tough for him. I think this will be a game that will be looked back on when he eventually leaves the club. This is Arteta’s first job so he doesn’t really have that belief behind him.
“If Antonio Conte has a bad time, you know he won the league at Chelsea, at Inter Milan. You have got that feeling that he has done it before and he knows what he is doing.
“Arteta has never done it before. That is not a criticism, it is just a fact. He needed that tonight.
“I really fear for him next season and if Arsenal are seventh or eighth at Christmas time with them in the Europa League there is going to massive pressure on his job.”
Read More on The Sun
Despite Carragher’s damning verdict of Arsenal, club legend Ian Wright thinks Arteta has done “brilliantly” with the young squad this term.
Meanwhile Granit Xhaka was full of criticism for his team-mates, insisting they should have stayed at home after their horror outing.