Arsenal are at risk of squandering their lead in the Premier League title race but Gary Lineker has resisted sticking the boot in
Gary Lineker.
Gary Lineker has refused to jump on the bandwagon after Arsenal slipped to their latest defeat.(Image: Rest is Football/YouTube)
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Gary Lineker has refused to say Arsenal have thrown away the Premier League title. The former England captain has dismissed 'jumping on the bandwagon' and slamming the Gunners after their 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, as he believes Mikel Arteta's side could still have a memorable season.
City reduced the gap in the title race to three points after Erling Haaland scored the winner shortly after the hour mark of their top-of-the-table clash. They can now move to the top of the table on Wednesday, for the first time since mid-August, if they win by two goals against strugglers Burnley.
Arsenal's gradual regression has opened the door for Pep Guardiola's serial winners to capitalise. The Gunners, on paper, have the easier fixtures but have their two-legged Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid to come as they look to salvage their incredible season by adding silverware to their collection.
Lineker, however, has refused to pile in on Arteta's side despite the title now being out of their hands. Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, he said: "It's not impossible that it'll be down to goal difference and it is very, very close.
"It's great for the neutrals because you want it to go as close as you can right at the death so in that sense it was good. I feel a little bit for Arsenal, they're going through it a little bit but they're still in the semi-final of the Champions League, they've got plenty to play for, they can still win the Premier League title.
"A lot of people will go, 'Arsenal have choked', it could still be a memorable season for them, I'm not going to jump on that bandwagon that they're going to throw it away, it's too soon to say that. They did show something, even though it didn't go their way, it could have been different."
Alan Shearer, meanwhile, doesn't feel that the defeat at the Etihad Stadium will be the result that could be costly in Arsenal's title aspirations. The former Newcastle United striker believes that their 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth last weekend could be the outcome that will come back to haunt them.
He said: "Where was this last month from Bournemouth? Where was this energy? This performance? Where was this forward-thinking Arsenal?
"I think that is the result that might cost them the league, last weekend, rather than this weekend, they were just so flat.
"I thought today, they were really good, it was a good game, they created plenty and went right up against City, it was a brilliant game. Arsenal had their moments, Havertz right at the end, you have to fancy Man City now."
Arsenal must bounce back if they are to avoid the Premier League escaping their grasp.
Arsenal must bounce back if they are to avoid the Premier League escaping their grasp.(Image: Getty Images)
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There is the possibility that both Arsenal and City will win their remaining matches, but should they do so, it will see them both finish on 85 points.
City play their game in hand against Burnley on Wednesday, but are yet to have their encounter with Crystal Palace pencilled in due to their FA Cup involvement, as they face Southampton on Saturday.
Shearer isn't convinced that both teams will have a 100 per cent record from their remaining fixtures as he expects a twist or two. He added: "The last six or seven weeks with their performances, who they've beaten and how they've beaten them, you have to fancy them but I still don't think both teams will go win every game, I think there will be a twist or two."
Arsenal return to Premier League action next Saturday when they host Newcastle. The Magpies have endured their own struggles of late, with Eddie Howe under pressure to heed their downturn, as scrutiny surrounds his future at St James' Park.
Four of the Gunners' last five matches come at the Emirates Stadium while facing as many teams in the bottom half of the table.
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