12 August 2023 , 06:00
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Gary Lineker has backed Arsenal to end Manchester City's reign of dominance and win the Premier League title - but Alan Shearer isn't so convinced of the Gunners' chances.
City may be fresh off winning their third successive English crown, as well as becoming champions of Europe for the first time in their history, but Lineker reckons Arsenal's new signings will be enough to turn the tide. The Gunners have splashed more than £200million on Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz in a bid to go better than finishing second last season.
That's where Shearer predicts they'll end up again, though, especially after striker Gabriel Jesus suffered a knee injury which is set to rule him out for the first few weeks of the campaign, having also missed three months last term. "They already have a problem with Jesus. I would have them have in second," Newcastle and Blackburn legend Shearer declared on The Rest Is Football podcast, as the Premier League predictions rolled in for the 2023-24 season.
"The quality City have, I just expect them to do the same again. They may have a slow start and a little bit of a hangover but they have shown they can recover from that. I can see Arsenal pushing City all the way again.
"I have been impressed with their signings and they have spent an absolute fortune to back the manager. You are not spending that to finish second again. You can see their intentions and they want to go out and go one better."
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Lineker, however, disagrees and believes that Mikel Arteta has made the improvements required to get one over on his old mentor, Pep Guardiola, just as the Gunners did via a penalty shootout to win the Community Shield last Sunday. "I said before I thought Arsenal would win it and Jesus has since got injured but I am going to stick with my prediction," the former England hero affirmed.
Arsenal beat Manchester City last weekend to win the Community Shield (AFP via Getty Images)Have your say! Who'll win the Premier League title this season? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
"I think Rice will make a big difference, as will Timber." Lineker added: "I think they were unlucky a little bit at the end, losing [defender William] Saliba was huge for them. It's hard to go against Man City and I haven't done for two or three years, but I just think Arsenal are going in the right direction. Could be wrong, it's a bit of a gamble!"
Ex-City defender Micah Richards was also on the podcast and sided with Shearer's verdict that the injury to Jesus could prove fatal to Arsenal's title hopes. "I think they will challenge and will be in top two," Richards acknowledged.
"It was massive to win the Community Shield for them and their fans. They know they can beat Man City but I just think with Jesus injured last season they became a different team. They weren't as potent in front of goal. Saliba getting injured was massive, too."