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Alan Shearer has piled the pressure on Mikel Arteta, having insisted that Arsenal has to beat Liverpool to the Premier League title this season.
The Gunners currently hold a slender lead over the Reds, sitting a point clear at the top of the table after overturning a five-point deficit, with Liverpool having lost its last three games in all competitions.
Having led his side to three consecutive second-place finishes over the last few campaigns, Arteta finds himself under pressure to deliver this season. His only major trophy win came in the FA Cup during his first year in charge, with his side having squandered a number of opportunities to add to their trophy cabinet.
Arsenal has spent more than $1.2 billion on signings since Arteta’s appointment in December 2019, with only Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea having spent more during that time.
Shearer feels that outlay leaves Arteta no room to maneuver this season, and has insisted the Gunners need to win their first league title in over 20 years this season.
“It has to be Arsenal’s year to win the Premier League,” the former Newcastle and England striker told Betfair.
“They've spent an absolute fortune, finished second for the last three years so we know, and Arteta knows that the eyes will be on him and he has to win the Premier League this year. When you spend the amount of money that they have, second is no good.
“They're strong, have had a really tough start and they've come through it. That's great credit to Mikel Arteta. If you look at the substitutes bench from last season against West Ham in February, compared to now, there's only two players on that bench from what there was last weekend.
“The big difference is that, when Martin Odegaard went off, he was replaced by Zubimendi. That's the difference.”
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Arsenal will have the chance to extend its lead at the top of the table when the Premier League returns following the international break, with the Gunners facing Fulham on Saturday before Liverpool hosts Manchester United the following day.
Although Arne Slot’s side has struggled to find any rhythm after a major summer overhaul, Shearer is in no doubt that the Reds will find their feet.
“Arne Slot is a brilliant coach so it's a matter of time before they do get firing,” Shearer said.
“Now's the time for other clubs to try and build a lead because it was only six days ago that Arsenal were five points behind Liverpool. Two games later, they're a point ahead. Things can move pretty quickly, and Liverpool will get better, as will Salah.
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