Jamie Carragher speaks about the Premier League title race is beginning to reveal its true dangers for Arsenal, and he has highlighted two major threats the north London club cannot afford to overlook as the season gathers pace.
Arsenal’s dramatic late win over Wolves on Saturday night ensured they remained top of the table, but the pressure was quickly reapplied on Sunday.
Manchester City produced another assured performance away at Crystal Palace, while Aston Villa continued their remarkable run of form with a comeback victory against West Ham.
With the margins at the summit narrowing, Carragher feels momentum is starting to swing in familiar directions.
City’s 3-0 success at Selhurst Park extended their winning run to five matches in all competitions. After an inconsistent opening to the campaign, Pep Guardiola’s side are beginning to show the rhythm and authority that has defined their recent dominance.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, showed resilience and belief to recover twice before beating West Ham 3-2, marking their 15th win in 17 games and underlining the scale of their progress under Unai Emery.
While Erling Haaland once again found the net twice for City, Carragher’s focus fell elsewhere. The former Liverpool defender believes one City player in particular could play a decisive role in determining where the title ends up — and it is not the Norwegian striker who routinely fills the headlines.
Phil Foden’s return to form raises fresh concerns for Arsenal
Phil Foden’s performance against Crystal Palace caught Carragher’s eye, not simply because of his goal, but because of what it represented.
The England international has now scored six Premier League goals in his last four matches, a run that suggests he is rediscovering the sharpness and confidence that once made him City’s standout performer.
Two seasons ago, Foden had enjoyed the most productive campaign of his career. He scored 19 goals and provided eight assists as City clinched a fourth successive league title, earning widespread recognition for his influence and consistency.
That form saw him emerge as one of the league’s most complete attacking midfielders, capable of deciding matches in multiple ways.
The following season, however, told a very different story. City were less convincing, and Foden struggled to reach his usual standards.
He finished the campaign with only seven goals and two assists, often looking short of belief and rhythm. For a player of his technical ability and intelligence, the drop-off was striking.
The pundit believes that downturn may now be firmly behind him, and that development should worry Arsenal more than any other factor as Carragher speaks about the Premier League title race.
“He was the Player of the Season a year or so ago, but wasn’t himself for whatever reason last season,” Carragher said on Sky Sports’ Extra Time show. “But now he looks back to his best.
“Back to his best is one of the best players in the Premier League and I keep saying it, it’s not Haaland, it’s him who must be a real fear for Arsenal.
“Haaland is expected, he does it year in and year out, getting 30 or 40 goals, and he is doing it this season, but Phil Foden coming back to the party is a real worry.”
For Carragher, the difference lies in predictability. Haaland’s goals are almost assumed; teams plan for them and accept that he will score regardless.
Foden, on the other hand, brings variety — drifting between lines, linking play, arriving late in the box and creating overloads that are harder to control. When he is confident, City become far less straightforward to defend.
As Arsenal attempt to sustain a title challenge deep into the season, Carragher feels this added dimension could tilt key matches in City’s favour.
The Gunners have improved defensively and shown greater maturity, but the resurgence of a player like Foden could test even the most organised sides.
Unai Emery’s influence keeps Aston Villa firmly in the conversation
Carragher’s warning did not stop with Manchester City. He also turned his attention to Aston Villa, who continue to defy expectations and remain firmly in contention near the top of the table.
With Villa just one point behind City and three adrift of Arsenal, their consistency has become impossible to ignore.
Since Unai Emery took charge in November 2022, Villa have undergone a dramatic transformation. Replacing Steven Gerrard, the Spaniard has instilled structure, discipline and belief, guiding the club into European qualification in three consecutive seasons.
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His record — 91 wins from 163 matches — reflects sustained progress rather than a short-term surge.
The victory over West Ham was a case in point. Villa showed composure after falling behind, maintained their attacking intent and ultimately found a way to win. For Carragher, that mentality is a direct reflection of their manager.
While Villa may still be considered outsiders for the title, Carragher believes Emery’s pedigree places him among the elite in the Premier League.
“We go back to the manager a lot, and rightly so. I said on the show today that I think there is only Pep Guardiola right now who is a better manager than Unai Emery.
“When you look at his CV, what he has done over his managerial career. There are some top managers, but as I said, he has a great CV. He has done a brilliant job as well.”
Emery’s achievements across Europe, combined with his tactical adaptability put Villa in discussion as Carragher speaks about the Premier League title race. The manager has built a side capable of competing with the league’s strongest teams, balancing defensive organisation with attacking ambition.