Carragher: Arsenal lack '10 out of 10' attacking option

Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal emerged from the summer transfer window without a "10 out of 10" attacking option despite strengthening many areas in their squad. 

Arsenal ended their 22-year wait for the Premier League title last season and were predicted to try and upgrade their attack in the hopes of taking them to the next level.

Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri were all allowed to leave the club, the latter being a loan deal, while Gabriel Martinelli remains in talks for a move to Al-Hilal. 

The Gunners' only attacking addition was Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, with ambitious moves for Vinicius Junior and Julian Alvarez failing to materialise before deadline day. 

Viktor Gyokeres was Arsenal's top scorer in all competitions in 2025-26 with 21 goals in 55 games, while Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz have hit the ground running this term.

Carragher, however, thinks that Arsenal lack a "game changer" in their team, suggesting that the Gunners' failure to sign one could cost them this season. 

"They have got really good strikers. I like [Kai Havertz] and I think Mikel Arteta likes him, as well," Carragher said to Sky Sports.

"[Viktor Gyokeres] has been what most people felt he would be when he came – not quite elite, but he can still score goals in certain games.

"They can still use him to do that job this season. They needed someone to be a game changer. They tried to get Vinicius, they tried to get Alvarez – that's the calibre of player.

"It's hard to improve Arsenal now because they are such a good team, such a strong squad. So you're talking about a world-class player as the only one that can improve them.

"They've tried to get them and haven't been able to get these deals over the line. There's no point bringing somebody of the level that they've already got.

"They've got five or six players in attack which I would call 'seven or eight out of 10 players.' They wanted a 'nine or 10 out of 10 player' but couldn't get it across the line."

Arsenal have signed Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United, Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa, Illan Meslier from Leeds United and signed Piero Hincapie permanently. 

Despite question marks over their attack, Mikel Arteta's side have begun their Premier League title defence with back-to-back wins, while also lifting the Community Shield. 

They beat Villa 1-0 on Monday, and since the start of March, Arsenal have kept eight Premier League clean sheets – three more than any other side. The only side in Europe's top five leagues with more is Juventus (nine).

Arsenal's result at Villa Park was also their 14th Premier League victory by a 1-0 scoreline over the last three seasons, which is six more than any other club in that time. 

The Gunners face London rivals Chelsea this Sunday and are looking to start a top-flight campaign with three wins for just the second time in the last 21 seasons.