Mikel Arteta's Arsenal 'can't compete with Liverpool for Premier League title' - unless they fix one thing

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Arsenal are battling for their first Premier League title in 21 years, but as things stand, Liverpool are in pole position to snatch the elusive silverware from under the Gunners' noses after narrowly missing out to Manchester City last season. There is plenty to like about Arsenal, TNT Sports pundit Karen Carney says, but she believes there is one area they must address to become contenders.

'The one thing that will stop Arsenal winning the Premier League'

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Arsenal are chasing their first Premier League title since 2004, and after narrowly missing out to Manchester City in the last two seasons, Liverpool are their main challengers this term.

The Gunners won more points than any other Premier League side in 2024, but have not been able to get over the line as Pep Guardiola led his City team to a fourth successive crown last season.

If they are to oust current league leaders Liverpool this campaign, Karen Carney does not believe it will be motivation that will prevent Arsenal from catching Arne Slot's side.

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The TNT Sports expert highlighted one problem area in particular.

"Mikel Arteta does not need to motivate this group," Carney told TNT Sports during the Gunners' clash with the Bees.

"You've had two title runs, you've been so close, and you're not there. If you don't have that fire in your belly to take that next step, then you probably shouldn't be at the football club.

Jesus reacts quickest to head Arsenal level at Brentford

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"So their experience has been invaluable, it's just that last little bit now. This group, they need to go and buy two more players.

"They need another left winger, I think [they're] fine with [Kai] Havertz as that false nine, or [Gabriel] Jesus, and obviously now [Bukayo] Saka is out, it's a bit of a problem.

"Until they start getting more numbers, more from that left-hand side, I don't think they can compete with Liverpool in the way that they want to.

"Defensively they're solid, set-pieces are solid, physically they're unbelievable. But the thing that will stop them [from] winning it, is the output from the left-hand side. Now Saka's gone, it's a problem."

As if he had been listening, Arsenal's predominant starting left-winger this season, Gabriel Martinelli, scored in the second half against the Bees for his fifth Premier League goal of the campaign in 17 appearances.

Martinelli fires in superbly as Arsenal ignite in the second half

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Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown still has faith that his old side can make up for past mistakes and finally get the job done this season.

"From the end of last season, from January onward, they were quite remarkable, only dropping points against [Aston] Villa, was the one they lost at home, and drew one game between then and the end of the season," he told TNT Sports.

"It's been a tricky start to this season, ill-discipline you could say, injuries - [Martin] Odegaard being the one that they've missed most of all, and now Saka.

"I think that's been a bit of a nightmare behind the scenes, if you talk to the manager. Of course, he's trying to make the best of it.

"And there's still time to recover against Liverpool, who have lots of difficult fixtures to come up against."

Carney says Martinelli 'has to be the guy who creates'

Martinelli played his part with his fifth Premier League goal of the season against Brentford, but Carney said he has to be consistent now.

"I've said Arsenal need to go and get another left winger and a lot of people might say that's pretty harsh," she told TNT Sports.

"He might be 23, but he's also played 145 times in the Premier League. So for me, now, this is the time you have to step up, particularly with Saka out, and tonight he has, but he has to keep doing that."

If the Brazilian, who has 70 contributions in 198 games for Arsenal, does not continue to produce in front of goal this season, Carney said the club could be forced to look elsewhere.

"Every game now, with those games that he's played, and he's experienced, he has to be the guy who creates a goal or scores a goal.

"And he's done that today, he's got to keep doing that and if he doesn't, Arsenal will have to say, 'Look, we've got Saka on the right when he comes back fit, he's our star guy. We've got to have someone else on the other side who gives the same output. We want to win the Premier League, second and second is not good enough for us'.

"As much as it's harsh me saying that, but to get to that level, you've got to have more output. He can [deliver that] but he needs that push."

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