Jamie Carragher criticises Mikel Arteta’s conservative tactics after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Man City, warning it could derail their title hopes.

Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Emirates has reignited debate over Mikel Arteta’s conservative tactics, with Jamie Carragher delivering a scathing verdict. The former Liverpool defender argued that Arteta’s cautious setup is holding the Gunners back in their Premier League title chase, despite Gabriel Martinelli’s dramatic stoppage-time equaliser salvaging a point.

Arsenal fell behind early to Erling Haaland’s ninth-minute strike, and their response lacked urgency. Arteta’s decision to start Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and Mikel Merino in midfield drew criticism for being overly defensive. The Gunners failed to register a shot until the 31st minute and didn’t test City’s goalkeeper until stoppage time.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher accused Arteta of “having the handbrake on” and compared the approach to his own experiences under Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez. “I just think they wasted 45 minutes,” Carragher said. “This Arsenal team is so close to being special, but in big games, Arteta still thinks too much about the opposition.”

Tactical Shift Brings Redemption

At halftime, Arteta introduced Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, instantly lifting Arsenal’s creativity. Eze’s clever pass set up Martinelli for the equaliser, covering up the earlier tactical flaws. Arsenal dominated possession with 67%—forcing Pep Guardiola’s side to their lowest ever Premier League share of the ball—but failed to turn that control into a win.

Carragher’s concern goes beyond this match. He warned that Arteta’s cautious mindset in high-stakes fixtures could cost Arsenal the Premier League title against rivals like Liverpool and City. “Man City were there for the taking at the start, but Arteta allowed them into the game,” Carragher argued.

With a talented and deep squad, Arsenal remain strong title contenders. However, Carragher’s criticism underscores a growing belief that Mikel Arteta’s conservative tactics in marquee matches may stop the Gunners from turning potential into trophies.

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