Alan Shearer believes the Premier League title race is going to the wire (Picture: PLP)
Alan Shearer believes Arsenal remain in the driving seat to win the Premier League title, despite Manchester City cutting the gap to just two points ahead of Sunday’s north London derby.
Pep Guardiola’s side have chipped away at the lead the Gunners had opened up at the top of the table and took advantage of Wednesday’s latest slip-up at Wolves last night.
City’s 2-1 win over Newcastle means Arsenal cannot afford another misstep against their bitter rivals this afternoon who are hoping to enjoy a new manager bounce in a fixture that will represent Igor Tudor’s first game at the helm following Thomas Frank’s sacking.
Despite the pressure mounting on the long-time leaders, Shearer believes Mikel Arteta’s men just about hold the advantage as the run-in begins in earnest.
‘I would probably still just say Arsenal, Shearer told Premier League Productions when asked who sat in the box seat following Nico O’Reilly’s matchwinning brace against his own former side.
‘But there’s not going to be a lot between them. What we can guarantee is each and every Saturday is it’s a case of we’ve done our job, now it’s over to you.
‘But I think both teams aren’t going to win all of their games so the pressure will be backwards and forwards, it will flip flop.
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Manchester City v Newcastle United - Premier League
Nico O’Reilly scored both goals in Man City’s 2-1 win over Newcastle (Picture: Getty)
Manchester City v Newcastle United - Premier League
Man City’s players knew the significance of their win over Newcastle (Picture: Getty)
‘I know the pressure Arsenal are under because of the circumstances and how they’ve finished second on too many occasions for their liking.
‘Man City have been there, they know what it’s about, they’ve got so many players and the management have been there and know what it takes to get over the line.
‘I still think Arsenal might have just have a slight advantage, just.’
Guardiola, meanwhile, hailed a ‘massive’ win after City held on for a crucial yet nervy victory.
The Spaniard now wants his players to focus on their next game, at Leeds next Saturday, without getting distracted by the wider title picture.
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The City boss said: ‘It was massive. Newcastle are an incredible team.
‘That game today is what we are going to face in the next 11. Every game will be like that, a battle.
‘Now we have three days off. I say to them ‘what you have to do is take a lot of caipirinhas and daiquiris in these next three days, enjoy life’, and then we make proper sessions and go to Leeds.
‘That is the proper way. If we say ‘we win this, then Arsenal do this or Aston Villa’… (you get a) slap in the face and what you thought (would happen), the opposite happens.
Who will win the Premier League title?
Arsenal
Man City
Aston Villa
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‘I know how difficult it will be. Just win the next game, keep going, never give up. Ten games is a lot in the Premier League. Many things are going to happen.”
Buoyed by Arsenal’s unexpected draw against Wolves in midweek, the game began amid a raucous atmosphere.
The mood was more anxious by the end as Newcastle pressed late on, but Guardiola felt the crowd helped City to the three points.
‘The vibe and the connection with our fans today was the best of the season,” he said. “We have five (home) games left in the Premier League and we need that vibe.’
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