Alan Shearer has backed Manchester City to go on and win the Premier League after their statement 2-1 win over title rivals Arsenal.
Arsenal produced a spirited performance after a wretched run of only one win of their previous five contests in all competitions, but Erling Haaland’s second-half strike ultimately proved decisive on the Etihad.
Kai Havertz’s equaliser – gifted to Arsenal by Gianluigi Donnarumma – had given the visitors hope of a famous victory away from home, with the German’s effort cancelling out Rayan Cherki’s exquisite opener.
Mikel Arteta’s side were punished for his or her wastefulness in front of goal within the second half, though, ensuring hosts City – who’ve a game in hand over Arsenal – closed the gap on the summit to simply three points of the leaders.
The result means Pep Guardiola’s men will claim top spot in the event that they get the higher of struggling Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday night.
‘I imagine today, I imagine on Wednesday, I believed per week ago because I see them every single day and I do know the extent that we have now,’ Arteta told reporters shortly after Arsenal’s setback.
‘But today, in the event that they have to be more convinced, I feel they are actually more convinced. We’re talking about it within the dressing room.
‘It’s a brand new league now. We have now three points of advantage, they’ve the sport in hand.
‘The whole lot remains to be to play for. We understand how much we wish it and we should not going to stop!’
Arsenal can be eager to get their title charge back heading in the right direction after they return to motion at home to an out-of-form Newcastle in just below per week’s time.
Dissecting Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash on NBC Sports, ex-England and Newcastle striker Shearer said he saw a difference in Arsenal’s overall performance in comparison with their recent below-par displays.
But in keeping with Shearer, the away team were made to pay for his or her wayward ending as several possibilities got here and went within the second period.
‘Where’s that [spirit] been for the last 5 or 6 weeks? That’s the massive query,’ Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top goalscorer, explained.
‘Yes, they were significantly better when it comes to energy, playing more on the front foot, creating possibilities, and so they were significantly better than they’ve been, but they only fell short.
‘They’d their possibilities and so they didn’t take them. There was an amazing probability within the last minute for Kai Havertz, with an exquisite ball in, and he has to attain that goal.
‘That’s been the difference today unfortunately for Arsenal.’
Asked if he believes City will go on and win the title, Shearer replied: ‘Yeah, I all the time felt that if City won this game, with the shape they’re in, with the experience that they’ve and the momentum they’ve got, I do imagine they’ll now go on and win it.
‘It just appears like that. Erling Haaland, their fans within the stadium and listening to it, you get that feeling that that’s exactly how they’re feeling as well.’
Shearer felt Arsenal missed a giant opportunity to wrestle the momentum back of their favour after they stumbled at home to Bournemouth of their previous encounter.
He continued: ‘I believed their opportunity was last week against Bournemouth, particularly after winning in Sporting, I believed the momentum from that might have carried them on.
‘Nevertheless it was such a weak, limp performance against Bournemouth and it’s very, very difficult, at whatever level of football you’re playing, to flick a switch and go again.
‘You’ll be able to’t just try this, you wish momentum. And there’s one team with momentum on the minute and that’s Manchester City.’
Wayne Rooney took an altogether different view to Shearer after the ultimate whistle, though, insisting Arsenal remained in pole position despite their crushing loss in Manchester.
‘This title race will not be over yet, I still feel like there are some more twists and turns to return,’ the previous Manchester United and England forward said.
‘It’s is clearly going to be tight but City have gotten yet another game to attempt to win, so I still have Arsenal down as slight favourites.
‘I’ve been in this case myself, where it’s essential win all of your games for the title. You take a look at your games and you think that well we must always win this one, or that one, but it surely never pans out that way.
Who will win the Premier League title?
‘From now until the tip of the season it’s just going to be right down to which team keeps their composure the most effective – that’s who will win it.’
While he stopped in need of agreeing with Rooney, Guardiola was keen to sound a note of caution and remind his ow players that winning the league from this position can be removed from a forgone conclusion.
He said: ‘I don’t know, I didn’t think Arsenal were in bad momentum. Within the Carabao Cup we were higher.
‘Today we were really good. They got here here after the defeat with hunger and we won. They’re are so competitive, we all know that. But at the identical time, we’re too.
‘The table speaks for itself. They’ve been the most effective. Congratulations to the blokes, but don’t lose the main focus.
‘Wednesday is our game in hand and we could be there if we win. That’s what we have now to do. Doing it should be so difficult because Everton or Brentford, or Aston Villa, Crystal Palace.
‘The games that we have now. Bournemouth away. Last week they won in Emirates and Newcastle. It would be harder.’
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