Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher (48) said he now sees Manchester City (Man City) as more likely to win the Premier League, but he does not believe Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta would be sacked even if he finishes as runner-up again.
Carragher analyzed the Premier League title race on April 21 (Korea time) via Britain's Sky Sports after Man City beat Arsenal 2-1 on April 20. Man City conceded an equalizer to Kai Havertz after Rayan Cherki's opening goal, but they were able to celebrate thanks to Erling Haaland's winning goal.
Even with this victory Man City still trails league leader Arsenal by three points. But because Man City have played one fewer match, if they win against Burnley on April 23 their points will be level and they could overtake Arsenal to win the title.
Carragher said, "I now think Man City have the edge," adding, "The momentum, experience and recent form will have a big psychological effect on Arsenal players," and he predicted, "It's not just that match but also their upcoming matches and performances."
About the remaining schedules for the two teams, Carragher said, "There is no doubt Man City face the tougher fixtures," but he emphasized, "When Arsenal reach this stage, they will crave wins wherever they play and tension builds."
He added, "Supporters will become anxious and their next two Premier League home matches will feel almost irrelevant regardless of the opponents," saying Arsenal will be put under psychological pressure.
Arsenal have managed only one win in their last six matches. Carragher believes that poor run has seriously dented the players' confidence.
Carragher said, "Man City will now be very confident and expect to win," and stressed, "I don't expect Arsenal to win all their remaining matches, but there's no doubt they have the easier fixtures."
Arsenal play Newcastle at home on April 26 and then host Atlético Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals on April 30. Carragher added, "The match against Atlético Madrid will take a lot out of them both physically and mentally."
Carragher said the decisive difference between the teams is the forwards' finishing. He said, "If Arsenal fail to win the title it will be because of their attack," and asserted, "Cherki's goal was one Arsenal could not score."
He also stressed, "Haaland scores goals like that. Havertz had two big scoring chances. Not every striker converts every opportunity, but if you give Haaland two such chances he will score at least one of them."
If Arsenal finish as runner-up again this time, it will be their fourth consecutive second-place finish. Arsenal, who had been aiming for the quadruple, could end up with no trophies. That would put Arteta's position in a precarious situation.
But Carragher said, "Not winning the title will not mean Arteta will be sacked," adding, "However, the fact that Arsenal, widely regarded as having the best squad and team in the league this season, are collapsing at the end is certainly a different feeling compared with previous seasons."
He added, "There were situations where Arsenal could have been nine points or 12 points clear," saying they dropped the matches they needed to win and allowed the chase to happen.
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