Jamie Carragher has drawn a striking comparison between Mikel Arteta and Sir Alex Ferguson, arguing that the Arsenal manager has emerged as the dominant force shaping the Premier League's conversation in the modern era.

Speaking on Monday Night Football, Carragher pointed to Arteta's pointed criticism of match officials following Arsenal's victory at Sunderland as evidence of the Spaniard's growing authority — both on and off the pitch.

For Carragher, the willingness to publicly challenge referees and set the agenda is a hallmark of true Premier League power, something Ferguson wielded at Manchester United for more than two decades.

The new 'don' of English football

"He's the don," Carragher declared, using the term to underline his belief that Arteta now commands the kind of respect — and fear — among rivals, officials, and the wider football community that Ferguson once monopolised.

Arteta has long drawn admiration for his meticulous approach to coaching, but Carragher's assessment goes further, suggesting the Arsenal boss has mastered the psychological and political dimensions of top-flight management that separate the great coaches from the merely good ones.

Ferguson's ability to place pressure on referees, opponents, and the media — a tactic widely dubbed "mind games" — was central to United's sustained success. Carragher now sees those same instincts at work in Arteta.

Arsenal's win at Sunderland

The context for Carragher's comments was Arsenal's win at Sunderland, after which Arteta directed sharp words at the officiating. Rather than simply celebrating three points, the Arsenal manager used the post-match platform to make a broader statement — a calculated move that Carragher believes speaks to Arteta's expanding influence.

Whether Arteta can ultimately deliver the sustained trophy haul that made Ferguson a legend remains to be seen. But in terms of commanding the Premier League's attention and dictating its discourse, Carragher's verdict is clear — Arteta is the new Ferguson.