Shearer Fires Warning to Arsenal: You’ll Need More Goals to Win the League

Arsenal may be top of the Premier League, but Alan Shearer reckons Mikel Arteta’s side still has work to do if they want to finish the job. The Newcastle legend has pointed to a lack of goals as the one area holding the Gunners back ahead of Saturday’s clash with Brighton.

After 17 games, Arsenal sit first with 39 points, two clear of Manchester City, and have started to grind out results when needed. A 1-0 win at Everton last weekend kept them ahead of the champions and showed a more streetwise edge than in previous seasons.

Shearer was impressed with what he saw at Goodison Park. “I thought Arsenal did well against Everton on Saturday evening,” he said. “They managed the game well, passed it nicely and deserved to win, even if it was tight.”

He also singled out the composure from the spot. “I love the way Gyökeres took the penalty. It would’ve been easy for him to say he didn’t fancy it with all that pressure. It was a really good game for Arsenal,” Shearer added.

Looking ahead to Brighton at the Emirates, Shearer didn’t hold back on the Seagulls. After watching them labour against Sunderland, he’s backing the league leaders to make it three wins on the spin. “I’m not impressed with Brighton,” he said. “For that reason, I fancy Arsenal here.”

But there was a warning attached. Shearer believes the title race with City could come down to firepower. “City are brilliant going forward and will always score goals,” he said. “Arsenal are better defensively, there’s no doubt about that, but the one thing they’ll have to improve on slightly is the goals.”

With City never far away and the season entering a busy run, margins are small. Arsenal have shown they can defend and control games, but if they want silverware in May, Shearer’s message is clear — start scoring more, or risk being caught.