Arsenal and Manchester City are locked in a Premier League title race - and the Gunners have been warned.
17:15, 13 Feb 2026
Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola hug.
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Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola are set for another title battle.
Arsenal have been warned by Alan Shearer that Manchester City could well go on a run of wins to put pressure on them in the Premier League title race. The Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw with Brentford on Thursday night, which saw their advantage at the top of the table now stand at just four points.
After Arsenal had defeated Sunderland last weekend, their lead at the top of the table was nine points, with City having a game-in-hand.
City have since gone on to claim wins over Liverpool, and Fulham, to reduce the deficit between themselves and Arsenal at the top of the table.
This weekend will see both teams in FA Cup action, before Arsenal return to Premier League duty next week with back-to-back games against Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur.
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Shearer has been left impressed by how City have performed over their recent games, and offered a warning to Arsenal about the title race.
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"I was really impressed with Man City on Tuesday, I did MOTD, and I watched the full game," Shearer told Betfair. "The first half is as good as I've seen them for a while without the ball in terms of the intensity.
"They look really solid. They look really good on the eye going forward. So yeah, they're really putting the pressure on Arsenal.
"I guess with Arsenal's performance and how tough it was for them at Brentford, this is no surprise to me. There's not many teams that go and win the title at a canter, you know.
"I guess when you haven't won it as long as Arsenal, then you're going to have times where people are going to try and put pressure on you. And that's what's happening now.
"Man City know what they're doing. Most of their players have been there before, seen it, done it and know what's coming and what to expect.
"If you're going to win the Premier League, then it's not that often it's going to be at a canter. I know Liverpool did it last season but, because of Arsenal's desire and hunger and all of those things, then they're going to have to do it the hard way.
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"“I wouldn't say there were cracks with Arsenal. I guess, because of City's form, it would be no surprise now if City went on a really good run. We've seen it before with Pep. It's about the time that they go on a run, so we wouldn't be surprised. But cracks, no. Not yet. I think Arsenal are still in a really strong position."
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