Jamie Carragher: Arsenal can’t afford to lose at Crystal Palace

Jamie Carragher admits that Arsenal are already under pressure to secure a positive result when they head to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Gunners endured the worst possible start to the Premier League season last weekend as they slumped to a surprise 2-0 loss to West Ham United at Emirates Stadium in their opener.

That defeat means that Arsenal already find themselves three points behind the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City after just one game.

And former Liverpool defender Carragher says that the north London side can ill afford to drop more points at Selhurst Park this weekend.

Ex-England international Carragher wrote in his column for Sky Sports: “It is not the end of the world, Arsenal losing their first game, but they would not want to lose two out of two, and certainly not against teams we would not call giants of the Premier League in West Ham and Palace.

“So it would be a really poor start for them if they did and I am sure they will be desperate to get three points on the board.”

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Elsewhere this weekend, defending champions Chelsea head to Manchester City, while Manchester United take on Aston Villa on Friday night.

Meanwhile, Carragher’s former employers Liverpool host Premier League new-boys Bournemouth at Anfield on Monday night as they look to notch up consecutive wins.