Carragher explains why Arsenal are becoming a "major problem" for Conte

Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal are becoming a "major problem" for Antonio Conte because Tottenham fans will be envious of their style of play.

The Gunners have made a tremendous start to the season, winning nine of their 11 Premier League games to sit two points clear of champions Manchester City at the top of the table. They've also qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League.

Mikel Arteta's side have achieved all this by playing quick, exciting football in front of entertained fans at the Emirates. Carragher believes supporters on the other side of North London would love to see a similar philosophy adopted by Spurs boss Conte.

"Conte has a major problem at Tottenham Hotspur," wrote Carragher in The Telegraph. "It is called Arsenal. One team in North London is generating headlines for playing with a youthful, energetic swagger. The other is seen as more pragmatic and counterattacking.

"Neither side is 'right' or 'better' in their approach - it remains to be seen whether Mikel Arteta or Conte win more trophies at the end of their respective reigns - but Tottenham supporters are looking at their rivals and craving similar edge-of-the-seat football."

Arteta's managerial philosophy was moulded at the Etihad, as he was Pep Guardiola's assistant between July 2016 and December 2019. The ex-midfielder will have also been influenced by working under Arsene Wenger during his five seasons as a player at Arsenal.

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Tottenham's season isn't going to plan. Much was expected of Conte's side after they pipped Arsenal to fourth place in the Premier League last term and signed the likes of Ivan Perisic, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Djed Spence and Clement Lenglet in the summer.

Yet Spurs are five points behind Arsenal in the Premier League having played a game more after back-to-back defeats to Manchester United and Newcastle. They could also be knocked out of the Champions League if they lose to Marseille in France on Tuesday.

Although Arsenal are enjoying a better season than Tottenham, Carragher still believes Arteta has a long way to go before he can be considered in the same managerial bracket as Conte. The Italian is a four-time Serie A title winner with Juventus and Inter Milan.

Conte also won the Premier League title and FA Cup during his two-year spell at Chelsea, where he was named the LMA Manager of the Year in 2017. Arteta is only three years into his managerial career, although he has won the FA Cup and Community Shield.

Carragher added: "I get that one team in London is currently flying with an exciting brand of football. But for all the praise of Arteta this season - and I agree with it - there is an irony that he would consider his career a success if wins half as much as Conte already has.

"Arteta is in the process of proving himself capable of being a Premier League winner. Conte already is one with nothing to prove."

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