Premier League legend Alan Shearer has firmly dismissed fellow pundit Gary Lineker's suggestion that Chelsea could challenge Arsenal for the title, instead insisting that reigning champions Manchester City remain the Gunners' primary threat.
North London Derby Dominance Extends Arsenal's Lead
The debate ignited after a dramatic weekend of Premier League action that saw Arsenal thrash Tottenham 4-1 in a one-sided North London Derby. Leandro Trossard opened the scoring at the Emirates Stadium, but the match was truly defined by Eberechi Eze's memorable hat-trick, which sealed a comprehensive victory for Mikel Arteta's side.
This result, combined with Manchester City's surprise 2-0 defeat away to Newcastle United on Saturday, allowed Arsenal to stretch their advantage at the summit. The Gunners now sit six points clear at the top of the table. Chelsea capitalised on City's stumble, moving into second place after a 2-0 win against Burnley, putting them seven points behind the leaders.
Shearer and Lineker Clash in Title Debate
The contrasting fortunes of the title contenders sparked a discussion on 'The Rest Is Football' podcast. Gary Lineker pointed to Chelsea's impressive form—five wins in their last six league games—as evidence they should be considered genuine candidates to challenge Arsenal.
However, Alan Shearer was unequivocal in his rebuttal. The former Newcastle striker argued that Manchester City's vast experience in title races makes them the most likely team to chase down the Gunners.
"I'd still say City," Shearer stated. "We've seen City after Christmas do it, they are used to it, they can do it and we know that. It's different because defensively they are not as good as they have been, but because they have been there and know what to expect, I would still say it would be Man City."
His view was supported by former Manchester City defender Micah Richards, who agreed that while Chelsea are improving, they currently lack the consistency to mount a full title challenge.
Arsenal's Form and Arteta's Cautious Optimism
Arsenal's position is built on a formidable run of results. Since a loss to Liverpool in August, the team has been virtually unstoppable, winning 13 and drawing two of their last 15 matches across all competitions. Their Premier League form is equally impressive, with seven victories propelling them into a commanding lead.
Despite the healthy points cushion, manager Mikel Arteta is refusing to get carried away. After the emphatic win over Tottenham, he acknowledged his team's consistency but emphasised the need for a full squad, highlighting the recent return of Noni Madueke and the impressive performance of substitute Piero Hincapie after an injury to Gabriel.
"We are doing really well, we've been really consistent, and that's it," Arteta commented. "The good news is we lost big Gabi, which is a massive blow, and Piero [Hincapie] comes in, and I think he was fantastic from the beginning."
With the title race heating up, the battle between Arsenal's relentless form and Manchester City's proven pedigree, as highlighted by Shearer, sets the stage for a compelling second half of the season.
