Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal should prioritise defending their Premier League title rather than placing greater emphasis on winning the Champions League this season.
Mikel Arteta's side ended a 22-year wait for the league championship last season before narrowly missing out on their first European crown.
However, Carragher has questioned whether Arsenal can repeat their run to the Champions League final while maintaining the consistency required to retain their domestic title.
Carragher questions Arsenal's Champions League chances
Speaking on The Overlap's Fan Debate, the former Liverpool defender expressed doubts about Arsenal's prospects of reaching another European final.
"I think it'd be very difficult for you to win the Champions League," Carragher said.
Arsenal reached the 2025/26 final in Budapest, where they drew 1–1 with Paris Saint-Germain before losing 4–3 on penalties.
Kai Havertz gave the Gunners an early lead, but Ousmane Dembélé equalised before PSG secured a second consecutive European title.
Carragher suggested Arsenal had benefited from a favourable route through last season's knockout rounds and warned that repeating the achievement could prove difficult.
His assessment places greater importance on retaining the Premier League, which Arsenal won for the first time since 2003/04.
Liverpool experience shapes Carragher's warning
Carragher also referenced Liverpool's experience after winning the Premier League under Arne Slot.
The Sky Sports pundit recalled discussing Slot's desire to improve Liverpool's attacking performances despite their title-winning campaign.
He suggested that attempting to develop a successful team's style while maintaining results can create additional challenges.
For Arsenal, defending the league title would represent another significant achievement.
The Gunners have not won consecutive English top-flight championships since 1934/35, when they completed a run of three successive titles.
Arteta nevertheless remains determined to compete for the Champions League after coming so close last season.
Arsenal face demanding run of fixtures
Arsenal's schedule will test their ability to compete across several competitions.
They visit Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Tuesday before travelling to Liverpool for a Premier League meeting on Sunday.
A Champions League trip to Slavia Prague follows on 4 November, with Hull City visiting the Emirates three days later.
Those fixtures will require careful squad management as Arteta attempts to maintain momentum in both domestic and European competitions.
Key Points
- Carragher believes Arsenal should place greater emphasis on retaining the Premier League.
- Arsenal lost last season's Champions League final to PSG on penalties.
- The Gunners are attempting to win consecutive league titles for the first time since 1934/35.
- Carragher referenced Liverpool's difficulties after their title-winning campaign.
- Arsenal face Fleetwood, Liverpool, Slavia Prague and Hull City in their next four fixtures.
What's Next?
Arsenal visit Fleetwood Town on Tuesday, 27 October, before facing Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, 1 November.
They then travel to Slavia Prague on Wednesday, 4 November, as Arteta continues balancing the demands of defending the Premier League title with another Champions League campaign.
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