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Jamie Carragher once saw fit to take aim at Arsenal’s transfer business, labelling three previous recruits as “a joke”.

The Gunners are now mounting a title challenge just over two years after Carragher’s comments lamenting their recruitment. Since then the north Londoners have changed their approach in the market, targeting younger players, and they have very much benefitted from a change in emphasis.

It highlights how far they’ve come having endured difficult periods early in Mikel Arteta’s reign. In the Spaniard’s first summer they went after established stars, several of whom were deemed surplus to requirements at their current clubs and allowed to join the Gunners.

The Sky Sports pundit was firm on his stance in December 2020 that the Gunners had taken the wrong approach with their transfers. Arteta picked up a disjointed squad, built by his predecessors, and set about putting his stamp on the playing group.

He added Willian on a free after Chelsea opted not to give him a new deal with Cedric Soares also added for nothing from Southampton. David Luiz had been signed from the Blues by Unai Emery, just months before Arteta arrived.

Carragher previously said on Sky Sports: “I really like Mikel Arteta. There’s a lot of nonsense around the club – bringing players, buying players. I think some signings were a joke. In terms of bringing Willian in, [David] Luiz in, Cedric [Soares] in. Is Kia Joorabchian making signings at the club?”

The former Liverpool man echoed that stance on the Overlap as he said: “Why are you buying rejects from Chelsea who are over 30, giving them big deals and then you can’t get rid of them. That’s not a mistake, that’s a mistake before it’s happened, its just stupid.

“David Luiz has gone for nothing, Willian will go for nothing and you’ve taken a load of dough out of your club and you’re left with nothing. Chelsea got the best out of them and then left Arsenal have them.” Carragher also questioned why there was any optimism about Willian making the move across London to the Emirates.

Hits and misses

Of the three players mentioned by Carragher: one left, one remains but is currently out on loan and one is now at another Premier League club and performing impressively. The latter being Willian, who has had a strong impact at newly-promoted Fulham.

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The Brazilian left Arsenal by mutual consent as he struggled to replicate the form he once showed at Chelsea. Willian returned home with Corinthians but was only there for a year before the Cottagers opted to bring him back to the English capital, where he has scored three times.

Luiz meanwhile has returned to Brazil, but remained there and looks set to see out his playing days with Flamengo.

Cedric is the only man still on the books at the Emirates, but he is back alongside Willian after joining Fulham on loan.

The Portuguese right-back was named in the Gunners squad at the start of the season, but he only featured twice in the Premier League this term before his switch to Craven Cottage, where he has thus far made appearances in the Premier League and FA Cup.

Will Ferrell was welcomed to Wrexham with a pre-match pint at a local pub – and he had a hilarious message for the Racecourse Ground faithful.

The Hollywood actor, best known for his comedic roles in films such as Step Brothers, Elf and the Anchorman series, made his first trip to pal Ryan Reynolds and co-owner Rob McElhenney ‘s club in north-east Wales on Saturday. Ferrell, 55, was there to watch Wrexham’s clash with Wealdstone in the National League, as Phil Parkinson ‘s side aimed to move top of the table before title rivals Notts County play later in the evening.

Spotted having a pint in The Turf, a beloved pub next to the Racecourse Ground, fans caught a glimpse of the American star, who’s also a co-owner of Los Angeles FC back in the United States. His focus was on Wrexham this weekend, though, revelling the excitement around the club following their FA Cup run which came to a dramatic end on Tuesday with a heartbreaking but valiant defeat to Sheffield United.

In a video posted on the club’s social media platforms, Ferrell drew laughs from nearby supporters and Wrexham’s media team with his message. Firstly taking time to fix his hair, the actor said: “Hi, I’m Will Ferrell. It’s my first time here – where are we again? Wrexham! I’m really excited for this match and I’ll be honest with you, I’m a little nervous.”

Ferrell was hoping to see as much action as in Wrexham’s last home game, their 3-3 draw with Sheffield United in the FA Cup fourth round. Twice taking the lead against the Premier League promotion chasers, a late equaliser from the visitors forced the tie to a replay which was held at Bramall Lane Tuesday.

Sadly for the Welsh side, Sheffield United’s quality shone through as they won 3-1. It wasn’t as easy as the scoreline suggested, however, with the hosts needing two added-time goals to book their place in the fifth round and earn a home tie against Tottenham Hotspur.

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Star striker Paul Mullin, who’d scored Wrexham’s only goal of the game with an emphatic penalty to equalise, agonisingly missed his next effort from the spot midway through the second half which would’ve put the away team 2-1 up. Still, Reynolds and McElhenney were proud of their players’ efforts.

The latter tweeted after full-time: “I could not be more proud of those men than I am right now. They gave it absolutely everything. Now let’s go win this f****** league.”

Reynolds, who attended the home match which McElhenney was unable to attend, added: “So proud of these boys. And the 4,000-plus away supporters who gave it all.”