Jamie Carragher's Arsenal claim speaks volumes about greater belief in Liverpool camp

Jamie Carragher admitted that no one backs – including themselves – to win the , as they haven’t lifted the trophy before.

Unlike the Sky Sports pundit's beloved , who have a staggering six times – most recently under in 2019 – have, nor any of UEFA’s current competitions.

A defeat to in the 2006 final is the closest they’ve come. And, despite under in recent years that has morphed them into one of England’s most formidable sides, to silverware, and they quarter-finals last year to .

Now, much like their title-challenging rivals Liverpool, Arsenal are unbeaten and tasked with a visit to the San Siro on Wednesday, where they’ll face Inter Milan. Yet, despite such form in the new Champions League format, Carragher believes that no one truly feels the Gunners can lift the trophy, simply because they haven’t before – and their form doesn't bode well either, following a three-game winless run.

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“As Liverpool fans, you believe that Liverpool can win the Champions League just because they’ve done it before,” Carragher stated, speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet.

“It’s got nothing to do with and the players. You just believe it. It’s probably the opposite with Arsenal because they haven’t won it before. There isn’t that belief.”

Arteta’s side have dropped just two points so far in the new Champions League campaign, drawing 0-0 to Atalanta in their opening matchday before beating and Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 and 1-0 respectively in north London, whereas Slot's side are three-from-three, including an impressive victory in Italy against AC Milan.

However, despite Carragher’s admission, Arsenal’s Spanish boss disagreed at the beginning of the term, stating that if his side wishes to have a successful European campaign, then winning the Champions League is what they must do.

"Success, I think, at this level is actually to win it [the Champions League],” Arteta stated in September. “But we made some bigger steps [last season], I think. We learn a lot from the experience.

"I'm extremely motivated. It's a competition that we love playing, every player loves playing, and here we are again. We had some great moments, some other moments that we have to do better and improve. We have to put those learnings into this season.

"Before, you have to prepare for three games, now eight. For the coaches, it's very different. Hopefully that extra work will be worth it for the people to enjoy, and for us again to have success.”

Apart from their tricky imminent clash with Inter, Arsenal's remaining Champions League fixtures make for pleasant reading. They'll travel to face Sporting CP – who will have just lost boss Ruben Amorim to – before hosting Monaco and Dinamo Zagreb. They'll finish their league stage with a trip to Spain to take on Girona.

Liverpool, on the other hand, have it a tad tougher. They play Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen tonight before reigning champions visit Anfield. Girona, Lille and PSV Eindhoven round off their group stage fixtures.

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