Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer both refuse to accept Man City and Arsenal title reality

Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have refused to write off Arsenal in the Premier League title race despite their 2-1 defeat to Manchester City

Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker have refused to write off Arsenal's Premier League title hopes despite defeat to Manchester City. The former England skipper has resisted the urge to join those criticising the Gunners following their 2-1 defeat to their nearest challengers, insisting Mikel Arteta's side could still enjoy a remarkable campaign.

City closed the gap at the top to three points after Erling Haaland struck the winner shortly after the hour mark in their title showdown. Pep Guardiola's side can move to the summit on Wednesday, for the first time since mid-August, if they beat struggling Burnley by two goals.

Arsenal's recent dip in form has handed the reigning champions the opportunity to pounce. The Gunners, on paper, have the more favourable run-in but must also navigate a two-legged Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid as they bid to salvage their extraordinary season with a piece of silverware.

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Lineker has refused to pile in on Arteta's side despite the title now being out of their hands.

Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, he said: "It's not impossible that it'll be down to goal difference and it is very, very close.

"It's great for the neutrals because you want it to go as close as you can right at the death so in that sense it was good.

"I feel a little bit for Arsenal, they're going through it a little bit but they're still in the semi-final of the Champions League, they've got plenty to play for, they can still win the Premier League title.

"A lot of people will go, 'Arsenal have choked', it could still be a memorable season for them, I'm not going to jump on that bandwagon that they're going to throw it away, it's too soon to say that. They did show something, even though it didn't go their way, it could have been different."

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Shearer, meanwhile, doesn't believe the defeat at the Etihad Stadium will prove to be the decisive blow to Arsenal's title hopes.

The former Newcastle United striker feels their 2-1 loss to Bournemouth, eight days earlier, could be the result that ultimately proves most damaging.

He said: "Where was this last month from Bournemouth? Where was this energy? This performance? Where was this forward-thinking Arsenal?

"I think that is the result that might cost them the league, last weekend, rather than this weekend, they were just so flat.

"I thought today, they were really good, it was a good game, they created plenty and went right up against City, it was a brilliant game. Arsenal had their moments, Havertz right at the end, you have to fancy Man City now."

There remains the possibility that both Arsenal and City could win all of their remaining fixtures, though should that occur, both sides would end the campaign level on 85 points.

City have a game in hand to play against Burnley on Wednesday, though their fixture against Crystal Palace is yet to be rescheduled owing to their FA Cup commitments, with a clash against Southampton coming up on Saturday.

Shearer is not persuaded that either side will maintain a perfect record across their remaining matches, anticipating a surprise or two along the way.

He added: "The last six or seven weeks with their performances, who they've beaten and how they've beaten them, you have to fancy them but I still don't think both teams will go win every game, I think there will be a twist or two."

Arsenal return to Premier League action next Saturday when they welcome Newcastle to the Emirates. The Magpies have endured a turbulent run of form recently, with Eddie Howe facing mounting pressure as questions continue to swirl around his position at St James' Park.

Four of the Gunners' final five matches are scheduled to take place at the Emirates Stadium, with the majority of those opponents drawn from the lower reaches of the table.