In what is the biggest game in the Premier League season so far, Arsenal welcome title rivals City to the Etihad this Sunday in what should be an entertaining clash.
The Gunners enter the game having seen their four-game winning run in the Premier League come to an end last weekend following a 2-1 loss at home to Bournemouth.
The pressure is on Arsenal, a side who also drew 0-0 with Sporting in midweek and are lacking confidence heading into the tie.
Arsenal are used to finishing second and now Carragher, speaking to The Telegraph, believes that not lifting the title could seriously the hurt the club in the long run.
"For Mikel Arteta, the implications of falling short will be more serious; the validity of his approach hinges entirely on whether he is a Premier League or European champion over the next two months. A triumph will render all criticism up to this point of his reign irrelevant and meaningless. Fall short, and the recovery period will be one of rancour and recrimination."
“Arsenal fans will not like to hear it, but finishing second for the last three years represented success. Finishing second in 2026 will undoubtedly be a failure.
“This is supposed to be Arsenal’s time, but the final push to win a major trophy is always the toughest. Football is full of examples of teams who suffered a near miss and put on a positive spin about the next season. More often than not, that next step is backwards."
If Arsenal avoid defeat they are certain to keep hold of top spot by the time they Newcastle but if they lose, City will be breathing down their neck for the final few games of the season where a single slip could mean their title hopes come crashing down.