Arsenal are gearing up for a crucial Premier League clash this weekend as they travel to Villa Park to face Unai Emery’s Aston Villa, with the pressure on to secure back-to-back wins. However, football legend Alan Shearer has cast doubt on their chances, predicting that the Gunners could suffer another setback in their title chase.
Shearer, never one to shy away from bold opinions, believes Arsenal might falter against Villa, just as they did last season. “This is a great game to look forward to because I think Arsenal’s result against Aston Villa late last season is what cost them the title in the end, which makes this a fascinating game,” Shearer told Metro. Reflecting on how that previous defeat to Villa derailed Arsenal’s title ambitions, Shearer is skeptical about their chances this time around. “It’s a really tough game for Arsenal, going to Aston Villa, who will be fresh and eager to put a dent in Arsenal’s title challenge once again,” he added. “It wouldn’t surprise me if it was a scoreless draw, but I’ll put my neck on the line and predict a home win for Aston Villa.”
On the other hand, former Arsenal star Paul Merson offers a slightly more optimistic view but acknowledges the challenges ahead for Mikel Arteta’s side. Merson is wary of the daunting fixtures that lie ahead for Arsenal, especially with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City looming on the horizon. “This is a massive game,” Merson remarked to SportsKeeda. “Arsenal got done for the double by Aston Villa last season and that cost them the title. If Arsenal lose and Manchester City win this weekend, the Gunners could suffer in the title race.”
Merson highlights the precarious position Arsenal find themselves in, suggesting that a couple of missteps in the coming weeks could see them slip out of the title race entirely. “If things don’t go their way, Arsenal could even be out of the title race by October! I’m not even exaggerating,” Merson warned. Despite these concerns, Merson is backing his former club to edge out a victory, though he expects it to be a hard-fought battle. “I’m going to go for an Arsenal win in this one, but I do think Villa can score. Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal.”
As Arsenal prepare for this critical test, all eyes will be on how they respond under pressure. A victory could set the tone for a strong run of form, while a loss might raise serious questions about their title aspirations. Following the Villa match, the Gunners will face another challenging fixture next weekend against Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
