Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher says Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta can’t afford to make any poor decisions in the transfer market this summer.

The Gunners are expected to finish runners-up for the third consecutive season and, while the Spaniard is not feeling the pressure from the board, fans are beginning to lose patience as their wait for a Premier League title goes on. Carragher believes this upcoming window could be pivotal for Arteta:

“To say his next transfer window might be the last chance sounds extreme. Arteta has so much credit in the bank, it is fair and right there is more resistance to managerial change at Arsenal than desire for it.

“But no one understands better than him that all the goodwill for creating an Arsenal team capable of winning is gone.”

Carragher has called on Arsenal to become more expansive

The former Liverpool defender claims that rectifying the club’s problems in attack does not simply rest with buying a new No.9

Carragher says that if Arteta is to “fix” his team, he has to buy several players who can add creativity in all areas of the pitch. He cites Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi as one crucial piece of the puzzle.

Arteta needs to get the balance right

There is no doubt that the club’s signings have been primarily focused on defensive areas in recent years and Carragher is correct that greater emphasis has to be placed on adding players who create chances and score goals.

However, Arsenal’s success under Arteta has been based on a strong defence. If the 43-year-old tries to change too much in the pursuit of playing a more attacking brand of football, it could cause more problems at the back. Finding the balance is key if the Gunners are to mount a successful title challenge next season.

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