Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer believes that Arsenal will find it extremely difficult mentally to win the Premier League title this season. His comments arrived after the Gunners were knocked out of the FA Cup following their 2-1 loss against Southampton in the quarter-finals on April 4.
Mikel Arteta and Co. were challenging for a historic quadruple earlier this season until they suffered a 2-0 loss against Manchester City in the EFL Cup final. Despite being the favorites against the Saints, Shea Charles’ late winner ensured Arsenal were eliminated from the FA Cup as well.
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While the Gunners remain the favorites to win their first Premier League title in 22 years, and are still in contention for the UEFA Champions League, Shearer told BBC One (via METRO):
“This is not a fluke. Victory went to the better side on the night.”
He then told Betfair:
“After Arsenal got knocked out of the FA Cup, it will be incredibly tough for them, mentally, to go on and achieve what they want to achieve.”
Despite this, Shearer reckons Manchester City are now the favorites to win the FA Cup but won’t win the title:
“It wouldn’t surprise me if Man City won the FA Cup. They’ve already got one trophy in the bag. I don’t think they’re going to win the league. They can’t win the Champions League. I know they’ve got a tough draw, but I do think with their history and with their experience, they may be the favourites to win it. Now they’ve got through the quarter-final against Liverpool, I think they’ll win it.”
Arsenal remain at the top of the Premier League table with 70 points from 31 games, nine points ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
“It is not ideal” – Arteta provides Gabriel Magalhaes injury update following Arsenal’s loss against Southampton
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted that Gabriel Magalhaes requested to be substituted during their 2-1 FA Cup loss to Southampton, describing the situation as ‘not ideal’. While the Gunners aren’t sure of the exact details, the Brazilian was spotted applying an ice pack to his right knee on the bench.
After Gabriel was forced off in the 74th minute for William Saliba, Arteta told reporters (via METRO):
“I don’t know. He felt something, we don’t know exactly what it is. But when a player asks to be substituted, it is not ideal.”
The Gunners will be hoping that Gabriel’s injury isn’t serious heading into the final push of the season. The 28-year-old has been integral defensively for them this season, even recording four goals and five assists in 39 appearances across all competitions.
Edited by Silas Sud
