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Alan Shearer claims that Arsenal’s failure to bring in a striker was a critical mistake that cost them the Premier League title.
Premier League legend Alan Shearer has pinpointed a crucial decision by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta that he believes cost the Gunners the Premier League title. Shearer, known for his insightful commentary and deep understanding of the game, highlighted the impact of Arteta’s tactical choices on Arsenal’s title aspirations.
In a recent episode of “The Rest Is Football” podcast, Premier League legend Alan Shearer shared his thoughts on Arsenal’s faltering title challenge. According to Shearer, the Gunners’ failure to sign a top-class striker has been a significant factor in their inability to keep pace with league leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal’s recent 0-0 draw to Nottingham Forest, coupled with Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Newcastle, has left Mikel Arteta’s side 13 points adrift of the top spot. Shearer believes that Arsenal’s lack of firepower up front has been a critical issue throughout the season, and their decision not to bring in a new striker during the January transfer window has ultimately cost them the title.
Shearer emphasized that this decision left Arsenal vulnerable, especially when key players like Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka were sidelined due to injuries. With midfielder Mikel Merino starting as a makeshift centre-forward, the Gunners have struggled to find the back of the net consistently.
The former Newcastle United striker also highlighted the importance of having a reliable goal-scorer in a title-winning team. He mentioned that Arsenal’s inability to convert their chances has been a recurring problem, and without a prolific striker, their title aspirations were always going to be an uphill battle.
Shearer explained that the absence of a prolific striker put immense pressure on the rest of the team to deliver goals. This pressure was particularly felt during matches against top-tier opponents, where the margin for error was minimal. The inability to convert scoring opportunities into goals ultimately led to dropped points in critical fixtures, allowing rivals like Liverpool to capitalize and pull ahead in the title race.
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