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

Jamie Carragher Highlights Arsenal's Missed Chance with Bradley Barcola

Jamie Carragher has criticized Arsenal for not pursuing Bradley Barcola more aggressively this summer, allowing the winger to join Liverpool in a £123 million deal. The pundit feels this was a major error, especially after the Gunners missed out on other key targets like Vinicius Jr and Julian Alvarez.

Barcola Signs for Liverpool

The French international, aged 24, recently finalized a five-year contract at Anfield following his high-profile transfer. Although Arsenal initially showed interest in Barcola earlier in the transfer window, they eventually withdrew their efforts, giving Andoni Iraola's Liverpool a clear path to secure the player.

Mikel Arteta's side has been searching for a quality left winger over the past two summers but has consistently fallen short in landing their top choices.

Carragher Questions Arsenal's Transfer Moves

"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."

Carragher praised new signing Christos Tzolis for a decent start but doubted that he fills the gap sufficiently. The longer Barcola remained unsigned, combined with missing out on Vinicius Jr and Alvarez, made Carragher wonder if missing Barcola was a mistake.

"The new kid Tzolis has made a decent start," Carragher added. "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 Intensify Ahead of Chelsea Clash

Arsenal's problems on the left flank are compounded by recent departures. Both Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, who played important roles last season, have left. Trossard completed a permanent move to Besiktas, while Martinelli is close to a £60 million transfer to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal.

With those exits, Arteta must depend on the remaining options as Arsenal prepares for a pivotal Premier League match against Chelsea this weekend.

• Upcoming Fixtures:
• Ipswich Town vs Liverpool: 4 Sept 2026, 21:00
• Arsenal vs Chelsea: 6 Sept 2026, 17:30