Arsenal remain the Premier League’s team to beat, according to Alan Shearer, despite a draw against Chelsea extending their away form to two consecutive draws.
While acknowledging Arsenal might have aimed for a victory against ten-man Chelsea and could have created more opportunities following the red card, Shearer emphasized the broader context of a demanding week for the Gunners.
“You could argue they could have done more against Chelsea’s 10 men, and they might be disappointed not to create more chances after the red card, and to only get a draw,” Shearer told BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan. “But, looking at the bigger picture, they have come out of a very arduous week in the Champions League and Premier League with extraordinary wins over Tottenham and Bayern Munich and now getting a draw away at the team who were closest to them in the table.”
Shearer highlighted the absence of first-choice center-backs Gabriel and William Saliba as a contributing factor to conceding from a Chelsea set-piece and a diminished attacking threat, suggesting their absence was “no coincidence.” He believes this context makes the point earned at Stamford Bridge a positive outcome for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Despite the recent draws, Arsenal maintain a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League, a position Shearer believes is fully deserved. “Arsenal have now drawn their past two away games but they are still the most consistent side in the Premier League and that is why they are five points clear,” he stated.
“the league table is not lying at the moment, and it never does. they deserve to be where they are because they’ve been the standout side so far, and they are going to take some catching too.”
Alan Shearer was speaking to BBC Sport’s chris Bevan.
