Alan Shearer picks out the result that could cost Arsenal the Premier League title

Alan Shearer was impressed by Arsenal’s performance against Manchester City and claims the side’s previous defeat to Bournemouth could actually be what ‘costs’ them the Premier League title.

City moved to within three points of Arsenal thanks to a 2-1 victory over Mikel Arteta’s men in Sunday’s top-of-the-table showdown, with Erling Haaland scoring the decisive goal at the Etihad.

Kai Havertz dragged the Gunners back into the contest after a calamitous error from Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 18th minute, which came just moments after Rayan Cherki had opened the scoring with a moment of genius.

But Havertz squandered a huge opportunity to cancel out Haaland’s strike at the death, after Eberechi Eze had hit the woodwork, and the league leaders will no doubt be ruing their missed chances over the coming days.

The result means City – who have a game in hand over Arsenal – will go top should they get the better of lowly Burnley at Turf Moor in their next encounter on Wednesday night.

Arsenal return to action at home to Newcastle on Saturday evening, a match that looks like a must-win for Arteta’s side after a wretched run of just one victory in their last six games in all competitions.

‘Where was this last weekend against Bournemouth?’ Shearer said of Arsenal’s performance against City on The Rest Is Football podcast.

‘Where was this energy and where was this performance and where was this forward-thinking Arsenal against Bournemouth last weekend?

‘Because I think that’s the result that might cost them the league rather than this weekend.

‘They were just so flat [against Bournemouth] and I though they were really good against Manchester City, you can’t complain too much about their performance.

‘I thought it was a good game, they created plenty, they went right up against Manchester City and thought, “We’ll take you on”, and I thought it was a brilliant game.’

Though Shearer believes City are now the favourites to win the title, he is confident there will still be a ‘twist or two’ to come in the remaining games of the campaign.

‘Arsenal had their moments, the chances they missed, the one-vs-one, the Havertz header right at the end, but you have to fancy Manchester City now,’ the ex-England and Newcastle striker added.

‘With that last six or seven weeks, with their performances, who they’ve beaten and how they’ve beaten them, you’d still have to fancy them.

‘But I still don’t think both teams will go and win every game this season, I think there will be a twist of two.’

Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top goalscorer, joked that Arsenal at least had the benefit of facing an out-of-sorts Newcastle side riding a four-game losing streak in their next match.

‘I do think there’s going to be twists and turns, I don’t think every team will win every game between now and the end of the season. If only football was that simple… it’s not,’ he went on.

‘Having been in that position myself, I know how they’re feeling and I genuinely don’t believe both teams will win every game.

‘The good news for Arsenal is they’ve got Newcastle next weekend who are absolutely s***.

‘That’s the good news to come out of the weekend, Arsenal have got Newcastle at home next weekend!’

Asked if City should not be considered the favourites in the title race, Shearer replied: ‘Yes. They’ve got their game in hand against Burnley in midweek, they’ve got the momentum and they’ve got the form.

‘Yeah, they’re favourites now, they’re definitely favourites.’

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