Jamie Carragher has outlined why Cristiano Ronaldo could be the difference that potentially sees Manchester United edge Arsenal to a top four finish. The Gunners suffered a 2-0 loss to title-chasing Liverpool on Wednesday.
They stay fourth, and a point ahead of the Red Devils with two games in hand. Their matches in credit combined with their uptick in form has seen them surpass United as favourites to claim the final Champions League spot.
Carragher said he believes Arsenal will fill that place come the end of the season but offered reasons that indicate the race for fourth isn’t over just yet. He noted that United and Tottenham have world class goal-getters in their side, whereas Mikel Arteta's team lack that leading figure.
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Speaking on Sky Sports after the game on Wednesday, he said: "The fight for Arsenal is to get into the top four. Forget Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City. They're in a fight with Tottenham, and they're in a fight with West Ham, and Manchester United.
“The difference tonight when I watch Arsenal is I think Arsenal are a better team than United and Tottenham - but they've got individuals who can do special things, like Harry Kane and [Heung-min] Son, or Ronaldo." Referring to a spurned chance from Martin Odegaard at 0-0 during the Liverpool defeat, Carragher added: "That's probably what they lacked tonight. Odegaard gets that chance, Harry Kane probably puts that in or Ronaldo puts that in.”
Ronaldo is United’s top scorer this season with 18 goals, nine of which have been match-winning strikes. His hat-trick against Tottenham last weekend means he is now football’s all-time leading goalscorer with 807 career goals to his name.
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Two more goals for Ronaldo will see him net 20 or more goals for a 16th consecutive season. Meanwhile, Kane has scored 20 goals this term, with Arsenal’s top scorer Emile Smith Rowe only managing to convert half that amount.
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