Jamie Carragher thinks Arteta has just pulled off a masterstroke at Arsenal

Jamie Carragher has praised Arsenal for the “impressive” tactical switch they’ve made in midfield.

The Gunners are in amazing form right now, having won their last last five Premier League games in a row.

Arsenal also have nine wins from their last 11 top-flight matches, and have conceded just seven goals in that run.

The Gunners are now back in the Premier League’s top four and looking good for Champions League qualification.

Carragher thinks Arsenal are reaping the rewards of Mikel Arteta’s decision to play Granit Xhaka in the No. 8 role.

This allows defensive midfielder Thomas Partey to have more space in the middle of the pitch.

Carragher also described Martin Odegaard as a “pressing machine”, along with Gabriel Martinelli.

“I want to look at Arsenal defensively,” Carragher, analysing footage from the win over Leicester, said on Sky Sports.

“Over the last 11 games, they have only conceded seven goals. It’s very reminiscent of Manchester City.

“I want to look at the pressing of Martin Odegaard and then Granit Xhaka, leaving Thomas Partey free.

“Odegaard is a pressing machine, along with Martinelli.

“They are really high up the pitch and Xhaka is covering 11 kilometres a game because he is being asked to do a lot more.”

However, Carragher did urge caution when Arsenal take on Liverpool at the Emirates on Wednesday night.

“Sometimes it isn’t right to go [and press] and there are spaces either side of Partey,” he added.

“In the game against Liverpool, that is something they will have to be careful about when they press.

“They have to be mindful of that.

“But what l am seeing from Arsenal, and the slight tweak in midfield, is very impressive.”

Liverpool will be a huge litmus test for Arsenal in terms of the progress they’ve made over the course of the season.

It remains to be seen what Arteta plans to do – stick with the current system, or twist by changing it against a dangerous Reds side?

Follow us on