Jamie Carragher Claims Saka and Ødegaard Slump Under Arteta – Could Arsenal Title Hopes Be at Risk?

Ex-Liverpool star Jamie Carragher claims Saka and Ødegaard have stalled under Arteta, raising questions over Arsenal attacking firepower in the title race.

Liverpool legend and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has raised eyebrows by claiming Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard have failed to reach their expected superstar levels under Mikel Arteta. Carragher’s assessment comes as the Gunners prepare for a crucial Premier League showdown against Wolves.

Speaking on The Overlap podcast, Carragher highlighted Arsenal’s mental strength but suggested their lack of elite attacking talent in the final third could be decisive in the title race.

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“I made a comment about Arsenal about a month ago on the back of picking my Premier League team of the season so far,” Carragher explained. “People talk about their mentality – I actually think Arsenal have a great mentality. But their problem could be a lack of quality in the final third.

“When I watch Arsenal, I don’t think they’ve got an absolute superstar in the front four or five players. I thought Saka and Ødegaard were going to get there a couple of years ago. I thought they were ready to almost become the best players in the Premier League still i don’t think Arsenal have got one of them.

“So people talk about mentality with Arsenal but what I think could actually stop them [in the title race] is actually quality.”

Saka and Ødegaard’s Diminished Output

Carragher’s critique reflects the recent form of Arsenal’s attacking duo. England international Bukayo Saka has scored only four Premier League goals this season, while captain Martin Ødegaard has netted just once in 26 appearances across all competitions.

Injuries have hindered both players: Saka missed five games due to a hamstring problem and recently struggled with a hip issue, whereas Ødegaard faced multiple shoulder and knee setbacks, even being substituted before halftime in three consecutive matches.

Meanwhile, summer arrival Viktor Gyökeres has emerged as Arsenal’s top scorer with eight league goals, underscoring a reliance on teamwork rather than individual brilliance.

Arsenal currently lead the Premier League by four points with 12 games remaining. After dropping points in a 1-1 draw against Brentford, they bounced back emphatically with a 4-0 FA Cup victory over Wigan. A win at Wolves could extend their lead over Manchester City to seven points ahead of Sunday’s north London derby.

Carragher acknowledged Arsenal’s dominance but highlighted City’s experience as a potential obstacle:

“I think we would all agree that Arsenal are the best team this season but Man City have been there before even if it’s not a vintage City.”

Despite his concerns over attacking stardust, Carragher still backed Arsenal to challenge for the title.

Pundit Perspectives: Collective Strength vs Individual Brilliance

Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney offered a contrasting view. While agreeing that Arsenal lack a single world-class superstar, Rooney emphasized the team’s collective strength and Arteta’s tactical mastery:

“They have so much quality, Arsenal. I don’t think they have that superstar but they can win games and they’ve shown that over the last three years, I think they’re too strong and powerful. I think they win it because of Mikel Arteta.”

This highlights the ongoing debate: can a well-drilled team overcome the absence of explosive individual talent?

Carragher’s comments underscore a recurring question about Arsenal under Arteta: can the team win without a player capable of producing moments of match-defining brilliance? Saka (24) and Ødegaard (27) are yet to reach the levels of elite Premier League stars such as Erling Haaland or Kevin De Bruyne, leaving fans hoping their “stagnation” narrative proves premature.

As the season enters its final stretch, the Gunners’ title hopes may hinge on whether mentality or individual quality ultimately decides the Premier League champion. Carragher’s critique adds extra pressure on Arsenal’s attacking stars to deliver in the run-in.

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