Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has suggested that Arsene Wenger's late deals in the transfer market could cost Arsenalthe Premier League title come the end of the season.
According to his column in theDaily Mail, the former defender, now Sky Sports pundit, has suggested that the lack of preparation from the Gunners boss in bringing in players early to cover for injuries and players coming back from the Euros in the summer cost them crucial points in the opening two games of the season.
The north London side lost 4-3 at home to Liverpool on the opening day, and then drew 0-0 away to reigning Premier League champions Leicester City, and Carragher believes that these dropped five points could seriously effect whether they lift the title for the first team in 12 years.
"They were not ready for the start of the campaign and, again, Wenger conducted his transfer business late," said Carragher, referring in particular to the signing of defender Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia in the final few days of the window.
"How big might the five points they dropped against Liverpool and Leicester in the first games be come May?
Jamie Carragher: "Arsenal raise your hopes and promise so much but at times they will leave you feeling deflated." pic.twitter.com/uvIOSac0It
"He was without Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud on the opening day against Liverpool, but should have known France and Germany would go a long way at Euro 2016.
"It was careless not to be prepared."
Despite their poor start to the campaign, the Gunners are now unbeaten since the opening day and salvaged a late draw away at Manchester United in the early saturday kickoff, with Olivier Giroud cancelling out Juan Mata's strike for the Red Devils.