‘They wasted 45 minutes’ — Carragher slams Arteta’s cautious tactics against Man City

Jamie Carragher has ripped into Mikel Arteta after Arsenal’s cautious first-half approach against Manchester City, accusing the Gunners of playing “with the handbrake on.”

Arsenal rescued a point through Gabriel Martinelli’s late equaliser, but Carragher insisted the game was there to be won earlier.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher argued that Arsenal failed to capitalise on City’s shaky start to the season.

Erling Haaland had put the Cityzens ahead on the counter, forcing Arteta into half-time changes, with Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze introduced to add more attacking spark.

Carragher said he was baffled by the timid approach, claiming, “I just think they wasted 45 minutes. I think Arsenal are a brilliant team, for me the best squad in the Premier League, and I thought they would come here and win like 2-0 against Man City.”

He compared Arteta’s caution to his own experiences under Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez at Liverpool, managers who often played conservatively in big games but ultimately fell short in the Premier League title race.

Carragher admitted Arsenal have the best squad in the Premier League, capable of winning the title and even challenging for the Champions League.

However, he warned that Arteta’s habit of tailoring his setup too much to opponents could derail their season.

“It’s a reoccurring pattern season after season,” Carragher said, stressing that both Liverpool at Anfield and City at the Emirates “were there for the taking.”

With Arsenal already trailing Liverpool by five points after just five matches, Carragher fears dropped points in these heavyweight clashes could be decisive in the title race.