Jamie Carragher hands Arsenal brutal Premier League title verdict ahead of Liverpool showdown

Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal's hopes of winning a first Premier League title since 2003 will be all but over if they are defeated by Liverpool this weekend.

The Gunners host Arne Slot's side at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon and know defeat will leave them seven points adrift of the top of the table just nine games into the new campaign.

To make matters worse, Arsenal will be without Martin Odegaard and Ricardo Calafiori due to injury, while William Saliba will miss the fixture as he serves a one-match suspension for the red card he received in the defeat at Bournemouth last weekend.

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Carragher believes the Gunners need to defeat Liverpool to galvanise their supporters and their hopes of winning the Premier League this season.

"Liverpool’s trip to Arsenal is their biggest test yet, of course. Chelsea proved formidable opposition, but Liverpool can beat everyone at Anfield. An away day against a title rival will measure the real credentials," wrote the defender-turned-pundit in his Telegraph column.

"The situation going to Arsenal is similar to how it was when the teams met in the stadium last February. Liverpool had the chance to go seven points clear of Arsenal. Arteta’s response was to create a cup-tie atmosphere, and the victory propelled his team to a winning streak which almost took them to the title.

"They need the same again. If Liverpool win, Arsenal’s players and supporters will struggle to believe they can end their wait to be champions if they are seven points adrift of the leaders and six behind Manchester City. You cannot let City get ahead before January because we know what they do in the run-in, churning out result after result.

"My concern for Arsenal is the injuries they have been suffering. Last season they were able to avoid too many setbacks. City could cope with losing De Bruyne for most of last year, and even the loss of Rodri will not derail their ambitions. Like Liverpool, Arsenal can not shrug off such difficulties throughout a season. City remain favourites for that reason."

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