Jamie Carragher names key differences in Arsenal this season amid ‘closer’ claim

Arsenal have been backed as genuine title contenders by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.

The Gunners have enjoyed a superb start to the season, sitting top of the tree after seven games.

Mikel Arteta’s men have won six of their seven games so far, and they are backing up some of the early season hype.

There was pressure on Arteta coming into this season, especially after the Gunners spent well over £100million in the summer, just months after missing out on Champions League football.

But it’s so far, so good, and there are already claims Arsenal could go all the way this season, despite the deficiencies they showed last season.

Not everyone is buying that level of hype quite yet, but Liverpool legend Carragher is backing the Gunners to make a strong run.

“If you actually watch Arsenal this season and the season before they do look like they could be title contenders,” Carragher told TalkSPORT. “I’ve always been a huge fan of Mikel Arteta, really like how brave he’s been in blooding all these young players.

“Now they’re 12 months older but the signing of Jesus and Saliba coming in at the back it almost feels like a completely changed whole aspect of Arsenal right now.

“I think they could be a lot closer than people give them credit for.”

Arsenal face a big test this weekend when they face north London rivals Tottenham, who have also put together a fine start, currently just one point worse off.

That will be a big test of the Gunners’ credentials, especially given the game they did lose was against a fellow heavyweight in Manchester United.

Though, Arteta’s men have since bounced back from that defeat with a comfortable win over Brentford last time out.

These are the games Arsenal are going to have to win if they want to go all the way.