Why ambitious Newcastle United are a ‘big’ problem for Arsenal - according to Liverpool legend

Jamie Carragher believes Newcastle United are a “big” problem for Arsenal - as he tipped the Magpies to challenge for the Champions League spots in the next two to three years.

Now under wealthy and ambitious ownership, United head into the summer transfer window eyeing a number of signing to help take the club to the next level.

And given Eddie Howe’s side finished just seven points off the top seven, despite not winning any of their opening 14 Premier League games, suggests they aren’t a million miles away from jumping into that bracket.

It is then that Carragher believes United will become a problem for the Gunners.

Newcastle ended the 2021/22 season on a high - beating Arsenal 2-0 in their final home game - on their way to recording an 11th placed finish with their highest points total (49) in eights.

United’s win against Mikel Arteta’s side ended their hopes of claiming a top-four spot, pipped to it by North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Carragher told The Overlap: “You think about how bad the first-half of the season was and then they’ve brought players in January - and let’s not kid ourselves or criticise Newcastle and say ‘they’ve spent £100m’.

“They’ve bought players who are just decent Premier League players, let’s not get carried away. (Kieran) Trippier and (Bruno) Guimares are probably players for the future. The rest of them are players you’d expect to be near the bottom.

“We’re talking if they have a proper season from the start. You think of the players they’ve got now, what they’re going to bring to it and they finished 11th, we’re probably expecting them to finish eighth. Can they challenge Europa League positions?

“I think they’re a big problem for the likes of Arsenal, the next two or three years getting into the Champions League. The players they’re going to be going for, that gap is going to get closed.”