Arsenal problem highlighted by Gary Lineker as Premier League title U-turn made

Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have both changed their minds on Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League title this season, but there is still one area of ​​concern that the Gunners must address.

Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have both reversed their pre-season predictions that Arsenal would finish second in the Premier League again. The move comes as the Gunners lead the table after halfway through the campaign, holding a six-point advantage over their nearest rivals Manchester City.

Manager Mikel Arteta has overcome injury problems to get his side back to the top, although there remains an air of nervousness among supporters at the Emirates Stadium. The club have found themselves in this position before with Pep Guardiola’s side chasing them, and fans are keenly aware that any hint of complacency could prove costly.

Nonetheless, many pundits now believe Arsenal are destined to win the championship. Reflecting on their initial predictions during The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker remarked: “I said tough but not champion (at the start of the season). A lot will depend on how (Viktor) Gyokeres performs. Alan (Shearer), you said challenge for the title but you are just shy of winning the league.

“Micah (Richards) the same, difficult but not champion, one or two injuries and they will struggle like last season. They had one or two injuries but they didn’t struggle like last season.”

Regarding their revised title predictions, Lineker said: “I actually think Arsenal will win the title. I don’t think I’ll see them fail too often, I think they’re a very, very strong team.”

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However, he highlighted a lingering problem that Arteta still needs to resolve, saying: “Exceptionally defensively as well and they will always find a goal, although I don’t necessarily think they have solved their number nine problem yet. But they are scoring goals elsewhere, so I think they will still be good for the title.”

Shearer echoed this view, but also expressed concerns regarding Gyokeres and his limited goal tally so far, commenting: “Yeah, he (Gyokeres) hasn’t scored the goals they sort of signed him for, but he has brought something different to the team which has maybe freed up others and others do better. But I guess he will want to, I know he scored his goal against Chelsea in semi-final of the Carabao (Cup), but he will want his numbers to improve in the second half of the season.”

The striker position has remained a concern for Arsenal, with many believing that a reliable goalscorer has been the crucial difference between them and Man City. The signing of Gyokeres, who scored prolifically in Portugal, was seen as the Gunners’ answer to Erling Haaland.

However, this adaptation has not materialized for the 27-year-old, who has scored just eight goals this season in all competitions. Two of them came from the penalty spot, raising questions about the Swedish international’s natural presence in the box.

Although Gyokeres’ injury has not improved his pace, there is a feeling that greater productivity in front of goal is needed. A close-range strike against Chelsea demonstrated some of that predatory instinct he needs, and one hopes he can use it as a springboard for more goals.

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“Yes, for a lot of things he’s done, it’s exactly the same,” Arteta said when asked if Gyokeres brings more than goals to the team. “I think he had a very good performance (against Chelsea). Overall, I think what he brings to the team.

“It’s a lot, sometimes I understand that people can’t appreciate it, we certainly do and what’s more, he was rewarded with a goal.”

The attacking options have received a welcome boost recently, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus both returning to action after long periods out. The duo offers something slightly different to Gyokeres, who tends to occupy the central defenders and threaten the space at the back.

Jesus prefers the ball at his feet as a creative outlet, while Havertz also aspires to be involved on the ball, but more to combine with his colleagues. Even if they don’t deliver substantial numbers themselves, they introduce another element to unlock goals from other members of the team – and that could prove decisive in winning the championship.