Jamie Carragher believes David Raya is a “huge problem” for Mikel Arteta and has warned Arsenal that they will not win the Premier League unless they fix their deficiencies in goal and attack.
The Gunners dominated the title chase for the duration of last season but were pipped to the post by Manchester City, who won the Premier League for the first time since 2004.
Arsenal emphasized their determination to win the Premier League in the summer by spending a combined £200 million on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber.
However, Carragher believes that Arsenal’s spending spree would not be enough to turn them into title winners.
“It wasn’t a mistake as such to replace Aaron Ramsdale, as Ramsdale wasn’t going to win you the league,” he said on Sky Sports on Sunday.
“But the guy [Raya] he’s chosen right now to come in is absolutely all over the place.
“I think bringing in Declan Rice has improved them, but they’ve not moved the dial with the goalkeeper. They don’t seem as fluid, and it’s not just about the players they’ve brought in.
“The ones who were playing out of their skin last season are not quite firing this season.”
Aaron Ramsdale was a regular in the Premier League last season, starting the first four games before giving way to Raya.
The 28-year-old was a surprise summer loan acquisition from Brentford, and Arteta has previously stated that he would be content to rotate the pair during the season.
However, Carragher believes that signing Raya has simply made things worse for Arsenal, with the Spaniard looking far from reliable in goal.
“This is now a massive problem for Mikel Arteta,’ he said.
“This is a huge problem. He’s made the same mistake [against Newcastle] he made a couple of weeks ago against Chelsea.
“He got away with it against Sevilla, but he’s not gotten away with it here.”
Arsenal boast the Premier League’s second-best defence, and only four clubs have scored more goals in the opening 11 games of the season, but Carragher believes the Gunners lack a cutting edge in the last third of the field.
During Saturday’s disputed 1-0 loss to Newcastle, Arteta’s men had just one shot on target.
Since coming from Chelsea, Havertz has only scored one goal in 17 appearances across all competitions, while Gabriel Jesus has only scored once in seven Premier League outings and has already missed four games due to injury.
“I feel like I’m watching a different team,” Carragher explained.
“They’re more solid defensively, but they’re not as fluid, and they’re creating as many chances.
“Have Arsenal got a centre-forward and a goalkeeper who can win you the league? I don’t think they have. When you think of vital positions where teams win leagues, it’s in both boxes.”
Arsenal’s defeat at St James’ Park was their first in the Premier League this season, dropping them to fourth place, three points behind City.
