Premier League legend Alan Shearer has been talking about the title battle Liverpool and Arsenal
Arsenal have the chance to close the gap on table-topping Liverpool to four points with victory in the early Saturday kick-off at relegation-threatened Leicester City (12.30pm). But for one Premier League legend, the title race is already over.
Liverpool opened up a seven-point lead at the top after drawing the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park 2-2 on Wednesday. While the draw may have felt like a defeat at the time, given Everton’s equaliser came in the 98th minute, it did extend the Reds’ advantage over second-placed Arsenal, who had suffered a huge blow earlier on in the day when it was announced that Kai Havertz’s season is over.
Mikel Arteta was already without Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus and, with the Gunners boss unable to add to his squad during the January transfer window, it means his forward options are now restricted to Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling.
And Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer, believes that will cost Arsenal in the battle with Arne Slot’s side. The Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United legend said: “Arsenal have to deal with the situation they find themselves in. They chose not to invest in a forward in the summer when so many people were saying that’s what they needed.
They’ve got so many injuries in that position now that I think they’ve only got three fit forwards in Sterling, Nwaneri and Trossard so they’re going to be tested and, whether that affects their push for the title, we’ll have to wait and see because that push will have to come soon and they’ll have to go on a bit of a relentless run if they’re going to try and upset Liverpool.
“I know Liverpool’s result against Everton was two points dropped, but Arsenal will still have to go on a phenomenal run to say to Liverpool that they’re serious contenders for the title that Liverpool are in control of.
“Can they do that? At the moment, with the forwards they have available, I don’t see that being the case. I think Liverpool will win the Premier League. I think they have enough strength in depth
I know Slot fielded a new team against Plymouth (in the FA Cup) and it backfired but I think their depth, other than at centre-half, is pretty strong. I don’t see Liverpool losing the title.”
The Reds can pick up their first piece of silverware of the season next month when they take on Shearer’s former club Newcastle in the final of the Carabao Cup at Wembley.
Liverpool will be looking to defend the trophy they won last season while the Magpies will be aiming to win their first major domestic honour in 70 years.
And Shearer, speaking to Betfair, said: “I don’t know if it would be a failure if they (Newcastle) didn’t win any silverware this season, but they’ve got a great opportunity to take and grasp.
I would much prefer for them to play Spurs in the cup final rather than Liverpool – particularly with what Liverpool have just had happen to them in the FA Cup, with Arne Slot resting everyone and losing to Plymouth.
“He was punished for that decision and maybe he was planning to make some changes in the Carabao Cup final. I suspect he won’t now, because of that. That’s going to be a really tough one – I know Liverpool are the best team in the country.
Newcastle have got the opportunity to go and win that trophy and are sitting pretty in the FA Cup. They’ve got a home draw in the fifth round against Brighton, so things are looking good and the main thing is that they keep everyone fit.
Two years ago, in the Carabao Cup final against Man Utd, there were suspensions and injuries. We can’t afford for that to happen again, they need all of their big hitters to be fit – that’s the key between now and then.
“I think having the experience of going to Wembley two years ago and sampling the atmosphere, feeling all of it will help. It won’t be such a new thing, because the vast majority of players in this squad were there then.
They’ll know what to feel, and what to expect. It should stand them in good stead. Having said that, they’re going up against the best team in the country in Liverpool, so they’ll know what it’s like
Liverpool is a club which is about having to win trophies – they know what it’s all about. They’ve been there and done it. They’re up against it, but with Newcastle’s first choice XI then no doubt about it, they can win it.
“It’s whoever performs on the day.”
