Alan Shearer has been left fuming by the criticism aimed at Arsenal this season, with the Gunners still on course to challenge in all four competitions this season
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer has taken issue with criticism of Arsenal
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Alan Shearer has robustly defended Arsenal against criticism of their performance this season. Mikel Arteta guided his team to the FA Cup quarter-final over the weekend, continuing their impressive run across all competitions.
The Gunners are still in contention in all four tournaments this season, with a historic quadruple within reach. Arteta's squad currently sits seven points clear at the top of the Premier League with just eight matches remaining.
They're set to face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on March 22 and are among the favourites to clinch the Champions League title. Saturday's 2-1 victory over Mansfield Town has propelled Arsenal into the FA Cup quarter-finals. Despite their on-field success, Arsenal have been subjected to harsh criticism for their playing style and alleged use of 'dark arts'.
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However, Shearer has dismissed any negative remarks about the north London club, insisting 'I'm not having it' as Arsenal continue to enjoy an exceptional season. On the Rest is Football podcast, the former Newcastle United striker expressed his frustration at the recent criticism levelled at Arsenal, stating: "I'm not having the criticism, I don't get it.
"I said before, they finished top of the Champions League group, they're in the final [of the Carabao Cup], they're in the quarter-final of the FA Cup, they're seven points clear at the top of the Premier League, yet people are finding a way of criticising them. Do me a favour!
"From any standard, whoever you're looking at, in every position, wherever they are in cup or league, they're absolutely flying. Forget about any other comment, or any negative comments, they're flying. They couldn't do any better at this moment of time."
Richards responded to Shearer's words, claiming that no-one should care how Arsenal play if they win the league in May. "I don't want to be the negative one, [but] they've not won anything just yet," he said.
Arsenal players celebrate a goal
Arsenal are competing for four trophies this campaign(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Shearer jumped in to add that Arsenal had been faultless up to now, to which Richards replied with: "Well it depends. In terms of results, yes. In terms of style of play, when you're watching and analysing them, they score a lot of set-pieces and they've had a lot of own goals.
"I don't think it's wrong for people to pick that out, but I also don't think it's right for people to be negative just to say 'Arsenal don't play good football'. The objective at the end of the season is to win the league, however you get over the line, who cares?
"But the point I was trying to make a couple of weeks ago, Arsenal are favourites for Champions League because it suits them more. We've made this point, especially with Anthony Gordon, in the Champions League it is more stretched and people have a go more, so it's giving him more room to score.
"In the Premier League, everyone's going into a low block and I thought Man City would have capabilities to break teams down more, when they go into the low block. If Arsenal win the league playing like this, who cares? At the end of the day, the objective is to win and it's as simple as that."
On the podcast, Gary Lineker and Shearer also agreed on Max Dowman's talent. The teenager was impressive in the FA Cup victory over the weekend and Lineker revealed how he was in awe of his performances. "What a talent, he's so exciting," Lineker said.
Max Dowman
Max Dowman was superb for Arsenal in their FA Cup win at Mansfield(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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"He's been out for three months and he came in in men's football and he looked almost like the best player. Every now and then he does something and you go 'oh'."
He continued: "I was just watching the game and I was going 'Oh boy'. It's one of those when you can see it, obviously there are dangers that you can get carried away. But even Mikel Arteta, he enthuses about him, he talks about him, he's probably in good hands. I don't have a problem with bigging up players, what we've got to be cautious of is knocking them down sometimes.
Shearer agreed with Lineker's view on Dowman, maintaining the talent displayed at such a tender age will inevitably spark conversation. He remarked: "You can't help it, can you?
"They're showing great ability, I know he's only young, but when they're that good, you have to talk about them, which then puts pressure on then. You have to accept that."
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