- Arsenal picked up just a point from their game away at Brighton on Saturday
- They are five points behind Liverpool, who have two games in hand, in league
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! New formation, some new faces, but the optimism has gone at Old Trafford
Jamie Redknapp has criticised Arsenal for their showing against Brighton – insisting the Gunners ‘need to go on a Man City type run’ to win the Premier League.
Arsenal dropped more points against the Seagulls on Saturday night as they drew 1-1 Amex, with Ethan Nwaneri’s second Premier League goal in vein as Joao Pedro netted a late equaliser.
They now trail Liverpool by five points, but Arne Slot’s men have two games in hand. One is against Manchester United on Sunday, while the other is versus local rivals Everton.
Against Brighton, Arsenal once again struggled to create chances from open play. They have become synonymous with relying on set pieces to score goals in recent weeks.
But that didn’t happen on Saturday, and Arsenal are relying on Liverpool dropping points if they want to finally end their 21-year Premier League title draught.
Redknapp, who formerly played for Liverpool and the Gunners arch rivals Tottenham, was pulling no punches on his analysis of the game during Sky Sports’ coverage.
Arsenal ‘need to go on a Man City type run’ in order to win the Premier League, Jamie Redknapp has claimed
The Gunners dropped more points in the title race as they drew 1-1 with Brighton on Saturday
Redknapp criticised Arsenal for their struggles in front of goal this Premier League season
‘The title race, Liverpool if they win tomorrow go eight points clear with a game in hand,’ Redknapp said on Sky Sports. ‘I said before the game there’ll be twists and turns but if Arsenal keep performing like this there won’t be twists and turns.
‘They were poor tonight. Second half just one shot on target. Draws are costing them. If you want to win the title you got to go out and put pressure on Liverpool That was a really poor night for them. Lack of quality, lack of guile.
‘Arsenal have got to go on a Man City type of run to win the title. They’ve got to look at what Man City have done last couple of years where they’ve hunted them down and chased them. Every time Man City got three points and put the pressure on Arsenal. But can Arsenal do it?’
City have become synonymous with late-season runs, which have often resulted in them winning the Premier League title. Last year, they went unbeaten in their last 23 league matches, winning 18 of them, as they claimed their fourth title in a row.
The season before that, when they lifted the Treble, they were undefeated in 16 before losing to Brentford on the last day, winning 14.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have been criticised for their struggles from open play all year, and it’s an issue that has been of even more focus since Saka’s injury last month.
They scored one against Ipswich, three against Brentford and one against Brighton without Saka, though did beat Crystal Palace 5-1 the day he got injured.
‘They’ve got to play better than they are,’ Redknapp continued. ‘That’s the actual fact.
‘They are finding it difficult. Couple weeks ago, Everton at home (a 0-0 draw), you’re thinking, “that is an absolute banker for them”. They haven’t been able to unlock teams like we normally expect them. They’ve got to find different ways without Bukayo Saka.’
