Jamie Carragher Criticizes Arsenal for Missing Out on £123m Liverpool Star After Failing to Land Vinicius Junior

Jamie Carragher has voiced strong criticism towards Arsenal for missing out on signing the £123 million winger Bradley Barcola, who joined Liverpool this summer. The pundit argues that the Gunners missed a huge chance to strengthen their squad after failing to secure their top targets, including Vinicius Junior and Julian Alvarez.

Arsenal Let Barcola Slip Away

Barcola, a French international, committed to a five-year contract at Anfield following a big-money move worth £123 million. Although Arsenal initially considered bringing the 24-year-old to the club, they eventually turned their attention elsewhere, allowing Liverpool to snap him up without much competition.

This summer transfer window marked another instance where Mikel Arteta sought an elite left winger but came up short. The Gunners have tried in previous windows but continuously missed out on top attacking players for that role.

Carragher Questions Arsenal’s Transfer Approach

“I’m happy it didn’t happen but I was looking at the Barcola thing,” Carragher said on the Stick to Football podcast. “For me with Arsenal, left wing has always felt like where the drop is compared to Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Kai Havertz.”

He added that despite promising signs from new signing Christos Tzolis, Arsenal should have aimed higher, especially after failing to sign Vinicius Jr or Alvarez.

“The new kid Tzolis has made a decent start,” Carragher explained. “But the longer the Barcola thing went on, and then Arsenal didn’t get Vinicius Jr or Alvarez, I was thinking is that [signing Barcola] not the one?”

Left Wing Woes Grow as Key Players Depart

Adding to Arsenal’s difficulties, the club has lost important players from the left side. Leandro Trossard has moved permanently to Besiktas, while Gabriel Martinelli is close to a £60 million transfer to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.

With these exits, Arteta must rely on the current squad to keep their momentum going. Arsenal will next face Chelsea in a key Premier League London derby, hoping to overcome their left-wing struggles.

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