Man City title verdict as Alan Shearer reveals why Arsenal can still be caught

Manchester City are seven points behind Arsenal in the Premier League table after their defeat to Newcastle.

Manchester City have been predicted to be the most likely challenger to Arsenal for the Premier League title this season. City are currently seven points behind the Gunners in the league standings in third place after their defeat to Newcastle United last weekend, a result which saw them drop behind Chelsea, too.

Pep Guardiola's side still have 26 games left to play this season in the Premier League before the campaign draws to a close. City will be determined to return to winning ways when they meet Leeds at the Etihad Stadium in the top-flight this weekend, which will come days after taking on German visitors Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

The topic of the title race was discussed on the latest The Rest is Football podcast, where host Gary Lineker was joined by Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.

While acknowledging that Arsenal are the favourites for the title, Shearer explained why he believes City are the club most likely to push the Gunners for the trophy.

"I'd still say City because we've seen City after Christmas do it, they are used to that, they can do it and we know that," Shearer said.

"It's different because defensively they are not as good as they have been but, because they have been there and know what to expect, I would still say it would be Man City."

Richards also believes City, his former club, are the most likely challengers for the Premier League title.

However, the former right-back also namechecked Chelsea as a possible candidate to be crowned champions this term. "I would say Man City as well, but Chelsea can beat anyone on their day," said Richards.

"I think they can put in some really good performances, as we saw with the Club World Cup. But I don't think they have enough at the moment to go all the way, but they are improving."

Guardiola explained earlier this week why he's looking for a reaction from the City players following the defeat to Newcastle, having already been impressed with the squad's response to the loss against Aston Villa last month.

"We have a setback. It doesn't matter, but we lose to Aston Villa, reaction to Swansea," said Guardiola.

"The people forget Swansea, but Swansea is a start. You know, when you lose a game, you have to win again, you have to win quick, quick, quick, otherwise the mountain is more difficult to climb. And win Swansea helps us to win Bournemouth.

"And that game help us to compete well against Liverpool. That's what it's all about.

"And we know last season, you know, we started losing a game, ah, that's one game, two games, ah, two games, another three, and four, and five, and six games."