Arsenal’s dramatic late equaliser against Manchester City at the Emirates wasn’t enough to escape criticism, as former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher claimed the Gunners “wasted 45 minutes” by playing it safe in a match he believes was ripe for the taking. Mikel Arteta’s conservative first-half approach drew scrutiny, especially in light of the attacking impact of second-half substitutes Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka.
Carragher Slams Arteta’s Game Plan
Speaking on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher didn’t hold back in his assessment of Arsenal’s performance in their 1–1 draw with Manchester City. He argued that Arteta’s starting XI, particularly the decision to bench creative spark Eberechi Eze, stifled Arsenal’s ability to take control early in the game. Instead of asserting dominance, the Gunners found themselves reacting to City’s early opener from Erling Haaland in the ninth minute.
Carragher believes Arteta is overthinking big-match tactics and prioritizing containment over attacking intent. “That felt like 45 minutes wasted,” said Carragher. “Arteta has a brilliant squad—arguably the best in the league—but he plays with the handbrake on in games like this.”
Second-Half Surge Highlights Missed Opportunity
After falling behind, Arteta brought on Eze and Saka at halftime, a move that immediately injected life into Arsenal’s play. They dominated possession in the second half, while Manchester City, unusually for a Pep Guardiola side, sat back to protect their lead. However, despite controlling the tempo, Arsenal struggled to carve out clear chances until the 93rd minute, when Eze played a pinpoint pass to Gabriel Martinelli, who expertly lifted the ball over Gianluigi Donnarumma to salvage a point.
Carragher suggested that if Eze and Saka had started, the result might have been different. “City were there for the taking,” he said. “But instead, Arsenal allowed them to grow into the game.”
Recurring Theme in Big Matches
This isn’t the first time Arteta has faced similar criticism. Arsenal were also questioned for their cautious tactics in the 1–1 draw against Liverpool earlier in the season. Carragher drew parallels to his own playing days under managers Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez—tacticians who came close to Premier League glory but often approached high-stakes matches with too much caution.
“I know what it’s like to play for a top side that doesn’t quite get over the line,” Carragher added. “That handbrake mentality in big moments can be the difference between winning a title and just missing out.”
Title Race Implications
Despite the draw, Arsenal remain second in the Premier League table, five points adrift of leaders Liverpool. Meanwhile, Manchester City dropped to ninth after failing to hold on for all three points. While the result keeps Arsenal in contention, Carragher’s warning is clear: if Arteta continues to hesitate in marquee matchups, it could once again cost them at the season’s end.
