Carragher and Wright call out Arsenal after two attacking targets join rivals
Jamie Carragher and Ian Wright have questioned Arsenal’s failure to strengthen their attack with Bradley Barcola, while Wright also believes the Gunners missed an opportunity with Morgan Rogers.
Arsenal ended the summer transfer window without the marquee attacker they had targeted despite exploring moves for Julian Alvarez, Vinicius Junior and Rogers.
Barcola was another player linked with Arsenal during the window before Liverpool eventually completed a £106million move from Paris Saint-Germain, with add-ons potentially taking the package to £123m.
Speaking on The Overlap, Carragher questioned why Arsenal did not make a stronger attempt to sign the France international once moves for their preferred attacking targets became difficult.
Wright agreed and highlighted the left wing as an area where Arsenal could still have added greater quality to their attack.
The Arsenal legend believes the position represents a relative drop-off compared with the options available to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta elsewhere across his frontline.
Barcola, 23, has since signed a five-year contract at Anfield after establishing himself as one of Europe’s most dangerous young wide forwards.
Wright was even more frustrated by Arsenal’s failure to land Rogers, who instead completed a £117m transfer from Aston Villa to Chelsea.
The former Arsenal striker claimed Rogers was the type of player Arteta wanted because of his ability to operate from the left, centrally or in midfield.
Wright also suggested the England international would have provided a genuine difference-maker rather than simply another squad option.
“I’m gutted,” Wright said. “I would love him to have come.”
Neville disagreed with that assessment, insisting he would not have paid £117m for Rogers despite rating the 24-year-old highly.
Arsenal ultimately strengthened other areas with additions including Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa, but their attacking options actually became thinner following several departures.
Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard were among the senior forwards to leave during a significant reshaping of the champions’ squad.
Arsenal’s failure to secure an elite attacker is the major unresolved issue from their window.
Carragher and Wright’s concerns therefore centre not simply on missing Barcola or Rogers individually, but whether Arsenal allowed two players capable of addressing that weakness to strengthen direct Premier League rivals instead.
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