'Switched on': Jamie Carragher says Mikel Arteta has spotted a loophole in the Premier League rules at Arsenal
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Jamie Carragher has been speaking about Arsenal and Mikel Arteta on The Overlap.
The Gunners have been the talk of the Premier League this week after their eventful 2-2 draw against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, which involved a red card for Leandro Trossard, a 98th minute goal from John Stones and plenty of handbags.
When discussing how Arsenal performed against Manchester City, Jamie Carragher shared the loophole he believes Mikel Arteta has found in the rulebook…
What Jamie Carragher said about Mikel Arteta and Arsenal
The 46-year-old has now admitted that he thinks Arteta tells David Raya to go to ground during difficult moments, which gives Arsenal time to settle, as goalkeepers do not need to come off after treatment.
Carragher told The Overlap: “Mourinho was always ahead of the game, trying to just gain an advantage somewhere, and there is one thing that I notice Arsenal do, I think more than anyone.
“I think your goalkeeper goes down a lot more than other goalkeepers in tense situations, because the rule is a goalkeeper can’t go off. That is definitely one the coaching staff at Arsenal are switched on to.”
Of course, whereas an outfield player has to leave the pitch and be waved back on after being treated for an injury, goalkeepers are obviously allowed to stay on, or else opponents would have a free shot at an open goal for roughly ten or more seconds.
Therefore, it is quite smart of Arteta to use Raya in this manner, even though some will describe it as cheating – if it is in the rulebook, why not take full advantage?
Gunners deserve credit
Finding loopholes in the rules and taking full advantage of the dark arts is what many title winners have done over the years, with Carragher using Mourinho’s Chelsea as an example.
Arsenal have not only done that through their use of Raya, but in Nicolas Jover, set-piece coach at the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners have also ensured that every dead ball situation is being capitalised on.
Interestingly, Arsenal have even broken the lines from throw-ins more than any other Premier League club so far this season, so corners are clearly not the only set-piece Jover has worked on.
If the Gunners end up winning the Premier League operating like this, no Arsenal fan will care what people have to say about their antics.
