The Premier League title race between Arsenal and Liverpool has suddenly become more interesting.
Arne Slot’s side have been the most efficient team in the country this season, and it looked like they were running away with the title. The Reds were nine points clear of the Gunners at one point.
However, after dropping four points in their last three games, the gap between the two sides could come down to five if Arsenal beat West Ham on Saturday.
That, in some people’s eyes, has blown the title race wide open again. Gary Lineker has now had his say on what he thinks will happen.
Gary Lineker predicts who will win the Premier League – Liverpool or Arsenal
Arsenal have had a lot of problems this season.
The Gunners haven’t had a fully fit squad available at any point in the campaign. Mikel Arteta has had to do without at least one player in every single game so far.
After Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz were ruled out for the season, many Arsenal fans gave up on the title race. But, Liverpool’s recent results have given some people hope.
With the Reds taking on Manchester City and Newcastle United next in the space of three days, Arsenal fans are hoping for more slip-ups. If that happens, it will be Arteta’s title to lose.
Lineker, however, can’t see that happening and has backed Liverpool to win it.
In the latest episode of the Rest is Football podcast, Alan Shearer said: “I thought it was probably a fair result (Liverpool’s 2-2 draw vs Aston Villa) and a good night in the end for Arsenal, wasn’t it? Because Liverpool didn’t pick up all the points.”
Lineker replied: “Yeah, it keeps them in it, just. Eight points clear, Arsenal got a game in hand, so could conceivably go down to five points. It keeps it open. And to be honest, for the neutral, it keeps it interesting, doesn’t it?
“But, I’d still be very surprised if it’s not Liverpool’s title at the end of the season. But, you know, they have had two draws in the last three games, but they’re tough away games.
“There was a day when you’d go: ‘That’s a good point. We went to Goodison, our local rivals, and got a point. We went to Villa, who are flying, they’re in the last 16 of the Champions League. It’s a decent result.’
“But now it’s like: ‘Oh, they’ve dropped two points’. All gets a bit of a panic.”
Liverpool and Arsenal’s next five fixtures compared
We are very quickly approaching the business end of the season, and this period is when a lot of things will be decided.
Liverpool remain the favourites to win the title, but Arsenal are not giving up and will push the Merseyside giants until the very end.
Here’s what their next five Premier League fixtures look like:
Liverpool’s game against Manchester City on Sunday will be a huge one.
If the Reds lose against the champions and Arsenal beat West Ham, the gap between the two teams will be just five points and the Gunners will have a game in hand.
That means the title will be in Arsenal’s hands – if they win all of their remaining games, they will win the Premier League.
