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

Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal made a costly error by not securing winger Bradley Barcola, who joined Liverpool in a £123 million deal this summer. The pundit argues that the Gunners missed a vital chance to strengthen their left wing after failing to land their main targets, including Vinicius Junior and Julian Alvarez.

Barcola’s Move to Liverpool

The French international signed a five-year contract at Anfield, completing a move that many saw as a huge coup for Liverpool. Earlier in the transfer window, Arsenal reportedly considered signing the 24-year-old but shifted their focus elsewhere, allowing Andoni Iraola's team to secure the player with little competition.

Mikel Arteta has been searching for a top-class left winger over the last two summers but has yet to find the right fit. The failure to acquire Barcola only highlights the ongoing gap in that position.

Carragher Questions Arsenal’s Strategy

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

He acknowledged the promising start of new signing Christos Tzolis but insisted that Arsenal needed a more high-profile signing like Barcola, especially after missing out on Vinicius Jr and Alvarez.

"The new kid Tzolis has made a decent start, but the longer the Barcola thing went on, and then Arsenal didn’t get Vinicius Jr or Alvarez, I was thinking, is that not the one?" Carragher added.

Arsenal’s Left Wing Challenges Ahead of Chelsea Clash

The club’s struggle to sign a marquee winger comes amid the departure of key players in that role. Leandro Trossard has moved permanently to Besiktas, while Gabriel Martinelli is close to a £60 million transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

With those exits, Arteta must depend on the remaining squad to keep up their performance. The Gunners face an important test when they meet Chelsea in a London derby as Premier League action resumes.

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