Jamie Carragher disagrees with Paul Merson about Arsenal

Jamie Carragher disagrees with Paul Merson about Arsenal

Jamie Carragher disagrees with Paul Merson about Arsenal

Jamie Carragher believes getting knocked out of
the Champions League - even if they then go into
the Europa League - will give Arsenal their best
opportunity in years to win the Premier League,
according to his regular column in the Daily Mail .
Indeed, the former Liverpool defender believes
Champions League elimination will give Arsene
Wenger's men a huge boost domestically as it
will free up their calendar during the week.
Carragher told the Mail: "Liverpool, remember,
almost won the title in 2014 by having a clear
calendar. You will say: ‘What about the Europa
League?’
"But, if Arsenal finish third in their group, Wenger
should use those Thursday games to give
matches to players such as Calum Chambers,
Kieran Gibbs and Mikel Arteta. In fact, he should
use them in the penultimate Champions League
game and see where it leaves them."

Earlier this week, Paul Merson argued that
finishing third in their Champions League group
would hinder Arsenal.

Indeed, the former midfielder suggested
qualifying for the Europa League would ruin the
Gunners' title chances due to playing their
European games on a Thursday night instead of
a Tuesday or Wednesday.

But Carragher clearly feels the north London side
would be better off in the Europa as they can
rest their first team, disagreeing with Merson, as
opposed to the obligation they would have to try
their utmost if they were still in the Champions
League.
It's an interesting school of thought. Both
theories carry weight - it's just a matter of
whether Wenger would play his first team in the
Europa League or, as Carragher suggests, utilise
fringe players and youngsters.