Jamie Carragher says Mikel Arteta completely changed philosophy after what Man City did to Arsenal in 2023

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Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal’s cautious approach against Manchester City last weekend stems from their heavy defeat to Pep Guardiola’s men in 2023.

Chasing the title, Arsenal travelled to the Etihad Stadium ahead of City and knowing a win would put them in pole position for winning the league. But a Kevin De Bruyne masterclass and devastating Erling Haaland display gave City a ruthless 4-1 win.

That put City two points behind Arsenal with two games in hand, and they would go on to win the treble. Arsenal once again battled City for the title in 2024 but came up short, while they were second to Liverpool last season.

And Jamie Carragher says that Mikel Arteta appeared to change his tactical approach and transfer philosophy after that humbling in 2023 that cost Arsenal the title – with that switch showing in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with City.

Jamie Carragher spots Arsenal transfer change after losing to Manchester City in 2023

Speaking on the Overlap, Carragher said: “Do remember the first year [Arsenal] went for the league, it was a bit unexpected wasn’t it? Arsenal, had [Gabriel] Jesus and [Oleksandr] Zinchenko and that was a really technical team. Zinchenko was going into midfield.

“Obviously they had [Granit] Xhaka, but I think they signed [Fabio] Vieira and he didn’t do that well. So you were buying technical players and you got absolutely monstered by Manchester City towards the end of that season.

“You went to Man City and got absolutely just run over and Pep [Guardiola] at the time I think was playing four four centre backs himself. Big lads at the back.

“And it just feels like ever since then, every player [Arteta] has bought is like six foot three. It’s a completely different sort of physical specimen than what he was doing in the first couple of years.”

Ian Wright and Jamie Carragher agree that Arsenal are close to getting tactics right

Continuing, Carragher said: “Whether he’s thinking that’s the way. ‘We’re not going to win the league by being the best footballing team because that’s Man City. No one can take them on in that. We’re going to try and do it another way.’

“Because it feels like there has been a big shift from two or three years ago to having like the team with the best set piece wise, best defensively. Don’t create too much.”

Ian Wright agreed with Carragher, saying: “A few years ago, he said that he wants to be the best transition, the best defence. He’s not far off of that with what he’s got now.

“It will come down to his selection now because I think the only thing that he got wrong was his selection. Just go out and go and do it guys. Let him trust the guys.”