Alan Shearer says Arsenal showing ‘cracks’ in Premier League title race
Alan Shearer believes the pressure of the Premier League title race is taking its toll on Arsenal after their lead at the top was cut to five points.
The former Newcastle United striker claims the Gunners’ recent wobble was to be expected as the season reaches its climax.
Mikel Arteta’s side saw their advantage over Manchester City shrink following a disappointing collapse against Wolves on Wednesday.
That gap could narrow to just two points before Arsenal kick off against Tottenham on Sunday if City defeat Newcastle.
Pressure mounting on league leaders
Shearer suggests the psychological burden of leading the pack is affecting the north London club.
The Premier League Hall of Fame inductee noted that surrendering a two-goal lead against bottom-of-the-table opposition is a significant warning sign.
“Cracks are starting to show now for Arsenal,” Shearer told Betfair.
“Being 2-0 up and then being pegged back as they were by the team bottom of the Premier League in Wolves it doesn’t look good. I pretty much expected this.”
The pundit believes the “noise” surrounding the club’s temperament will only increase following the result.
“Whether they like it or not, Arsenal probably haven’t liked people going on about them bottling it, them chucking it away and the pressure being on them,” he added.
“Well, they won’t like what’ll happen in the next few days now, because the noise will get a lot louder.”
Derby day offers chance to respond
Despite a run of poor form, the league leaders remain masters of their own destiny.
The Gunners have won just two of their last seven matches, allowing Manchester City to close the gap significantly.
However, Shearer insists there is no reason to panic just yet with a pivotal trip to the Etihad Stadium still to come in April.
“The Premier League title is also still in Arsenal’s hands because if they win every game, they win the league,” said Shearer.
“Technically it’s in both of their hands and everyone was always going to look to that game, at the Etihad in April.”
The former England captain believes the upcoming North London Derby is the perfect fixture to galvanise the squad.
“I’d be looking to the next game and I would actually love it to be a huge one and that’s what they have with it being a north London derby,” he concluded.
“That’s exactly what it is at Tottenham, with them also having a new manager, and you put all that together, then it becomes huge.”