Gary Lineker's new Arsenal and Man City Premier League title race verdict - 'Enormous bonus'

Manchester City are firmly in the Premier League title race and have a game in hand over Arsenal, who currently sit nine points clear at the top of the table

Gary Lineker has shared his verdict on the Premier League title race, backing Arsenal as they sit nine points clear of Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's side do have a game in hand against Crystal Palace and will still welcome the Gunners to the Etihad Stadium.

After their emphatic 4-0 FA Cup win over Liverpool on Saturday, City are not in action again until Sunday, April 12, when they travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea (4:30pm). Arsenal, meanwhile, are on Champions League duty this week against Sporting Clube de Portugal in Lisbon, following their surprising 2–1 FA Cup defeat to struggling Southampton on Saturday.

Still competing in Europe, the Gunners have shown real resilience this season, going unbeaten in the group stage, while City were knocked out of the competition by Real Madrid in the round of 16 last month.

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Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker discussed Arsenal's title chances and stressed the importance of restoring momentum after the disappointment on the south coast.

"The next game or two for Arsenal are hugely important. They need to steady the ship," the England icon said. "There's no doubt, they've got a huge lead in the Premier League - it's a nine-point lead.

"Obviously, City have got a game in hand and they play Arsenal at the Etihad, so it could go down to three and it has to go down to three really for them to have any chance, City I think. But it's squeaky bum time."

Lineker added: "I think they'll be fine. I think they'll win the league which will be the main thing for them. Champions League would be an enormous bonus because obviously it's a competition that they've never won.

"So I think, I'm pretty confident they'll win the league but they do need to steady that ship."

Alan Shearer echoed Lineker's sentiments, saying: "They're under huge pressure, there's no doubt. Even Mikel's interview after the game tells you that but as I said earlier, you've always got the right to respond.

"And three days after the game, they've got that. Football is crazy, you go into that game and if you win it, your confidence is back up again and everything's nice and rosy.

"So that's what they have to do because the noise will just get louder if they don't."

After their Champions League tie with Sporting, Arsenal will host Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday at 12:30pm, as the title race continues to heat up in the final weeks of the season.