Jamie Carragher names the game that could cost Arsenal the title – ‘They’ve been unfortunate’

Jamie Carragher fears fatigue is likely to play a major factor in the race for the Premier League title and is concerned Arsenal have been dealt a rough hand in the way their fixtures have fallen.

Mikel Arteta’s side arrested their recent dip in form with a crucial 1-0 home win at Newcastle on Saturday thanks to Eberechi Eze’s stunning early strike.

The Gunners will head into Wednesday night’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid with a renewed sense of confidence, not to mention a three-point at the top of the Premier League table, albeit having played a game more than Manchester City.

Arsenal will return to action on Saturday when they host Fulham and will have an opportunity to increase their lead before City are back in action on Monday night against Everton.

Carragher, however, fears the short turn around time means Arsenal’s preparations are likely to be heavily disrupted, rendering the London derby against the Cottagers even more of a banana skin that it already was.

He said: ‘I feel Arsenal have been unfortunate, and I know this playing Champions League semi finals, when you play Wednesday then Tuesday that’s a big difference between Tuesday then Wednesday.

‘You’re actually playing three games in six days, rather than three games in eight days. It’s a massive difference at this stage of the season.

‘That’s why I really worry for Arsenal about this (the Fulham game). You play away and have to travel, Fulham are a good and decent side and then you’ve got to go again on the Tuesday night.

‘They’ve been very unfortunate the way the games have fallen. Three games in six days is really tough.’

While three points was all that mattered last weekend, Carragher noted there were significant warning signs in the way Eddie Howe’s struggling side were able to play through their opponents.

He added: ‘My worry watching them wasn’t nerves and it hasn’t been the last few weeks, mine is fatigue.

‘For me Arsenal are the best team in the league without the ball. It is difficult to score against them and it is difficult to play against them. When they’re at their best they’re one of the best pressing teams.

‘It was far too easy for Newcastle to make passes and get to the edge of the box.

‘They couldn’t create too much when they got there which is a sign of the Arsenal back four but it looked leggy to me.

‘It was too easy for Tonali and Guimaraes to dicate the game.

‘To see Newcastle play with ease at the Emirates was a worry to me and smacked of fatigue.’