At a Glance:
- Arsenal were beaten by Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday evening.
- The Citizens now sit just three points behind the Gunners with a game in hand.
- Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have had their say on the title race.
Arsenal were dealt yet another huge blow in their pursuit of the Premier League title on Sunday afternoon when they were beaten by Manchester City at the Etihad, and Gary Lineker has subsequently issued his verdict on the title race.
The Gunners produced a more encouraging performance than in recent weeks, although City ultimately ran out 2-1 winners in the north-west. Rayan Cherki’s sensational finish gave the Citizens the lead inside 16 minutes, before Kai Havertz’s pressing forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into a mistake, equalising for the travelling side.
City then found the winner mid-way through the second half, when Erling Haaland swept past David Raya after a period of Gunners pressure. Patrick Vieira raised concerns about Arsenal after the game, although Lineker and Alan Shearer have provided a slightly more positive outlook.
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer provide Arsenal verdict after Man City loss
While Arsenal suffered a second consecutive league defeat in Manchester, the manner of their performance has given Gunners supporters reason for optimism moving forward. Mikel Arteta experimented with Eberechi Eze and Martin Odegaard in the same team, and this set-up seemingly provided the North Londoners with more offensive direction and intent.
Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, pundit Shearer revealed his belief that City are now favourites to win the title, although he still believes there’ll be plenty more twists.
“Arsenal had their moments, as you said Gaz,” he said.
“The chances they missed, the 1v1, the header from Havertz right at the end. But yeah, you have to fancy Man City now because with the last, I don’t know, six or seven weeks with their performances, who they’ve beaten and how they’ve beaten them, you still have to fancy them.
“But I still don’t think both teams will go and win every game this season. I still think there will be a twist or two.”
Lineker agreed with Shearer that City’s route to the title won’t be straightforward, and that Arsenal still have reason to be positive about their credentials.
“I mean, it could, it’s not impossible that it will be down to goal difference in the end,” he said.
“And their goal difference is very, very close. I mean, it’s great for the neutrals because you want it to go as close as you can.
“So it’s really exciting right at the death. So in that sense, it was good. You know, I feel a little bit for Arsenal, going through it at the moment, obviously, lost in two cup competitions, but they’re still in the semi-final of the Champions League.
“So they’ve got plenty to play for. They can still win the league title. You know, a lot of people now will go, I’ll sort of choke, but this, it still could be a really memorable season for them.”
Arsenal’s remaining fixtures are more appealing than Man City’s
If Arsenal match City’s results between now and the end of the season, then the title will come down to goal difference. If they can better their north-west counterparts’ results, then they will run out winners.
Fortunately for Arteta and the Gunners, their fixtures look a lot more appealing than City’s.
| Matchweek | Arsenal | Man City |
| MW 34 | Newcastle (H) | Burnley (A) |
| MW 35 | Fulham (H) | Everton (A) |
| MW 36 | West Ham (A) | Brentford (H) |
| MW 37 | Burnley (H) | Bournemouth (A) |
| (Game in hand) | – | Crystal Palace (H) |
| MW 38 | Crystal Palace (A) | Aston Villa (H) |
While City may have an additional game left to play to accumulate points, they also have more teams to play, who still have something left to compete for.
Arsenal play against an unravelling Newcastle United side out of European contention, two mid-table sides in Crystal Palace and Fulham, and almost-relegated Burnley. Meanwhile, City still have to play four teams desperately fighting for a place in Europe in Everton, Brentford, Bournemouth and Aston Villa, with the two of these game away from the Etihad.
