New year, same old Arsenal. That appears to be the view of both Jamie Carragher and Graeme Souness, who used their first Sky Sports appearance of 2017 to explain why they believe that nothing will change for Arsene Wenger's men in 2017.
Arsenal take on Sam Allardyce's Crystal Palace on New Year's Day, and speaking from the Emirates Stadium the two Liverpool legends outlined why they feel that the Gunners will fall short when it really matters.
Both punits voiced their opinion that Arsenal will be up there at the top come the end of the season, but lack that killer instinct to be crowned champions. Souness described them as 'always the bridesmade', while Carragher called Arsenal 'flat-track bullies', a team that beats the weaker teams in the league but comes up short against the big guns.
The lack of an 'Arsenal voice' on the panel was glaring, as many of the club's fans were not happy with having two former Liverpool players in studio for games featuring Spurs, Watford, Arsenal, and Palace.
No matter what Graeme Souness says about #Arsenal, all I can't think is, 'Aye.... but you signed Ali Dia though' #arscry
— Barry Mc Lernon (@BarryMc_91) January 1, 2017
Arsenal can win the World Cup and graeme souness will still chat shit
— Domingo (@daveey___) January 1, 2017
Why is Souness and Carragher there? Both Arsenal and Palace legends are they?
— Carl (@H0D01986) January 1, 2017
But there were many who agreed with what was said, and we have seen these very questions raised by the guys on Arsenal Fan TV in recent times, so it's clear they're not talking down on the club just for the hell of it.
With Chelsea not looking like slowing down any time soon and Liverpool hot on their tail, January will be very big for Wenger if he wants to stay in the title conversation.