- Arsenal face Crystal Palace on the final day
- Palace are in the Conference League final
- Shearer says they may rotate against Arsenal
Alan Shearer has made a bold prediction ahead of Arsenal’s final day trip to Crystal Palace, one which could end up costing Manchester City the Premier League title.
Former England striker Shearer has claimed Arsenal will comfortably win their final two games of the season, ensuring they lift the Premier League title for the first time in 23 years.
The Gunners are five points clear of Man City, who have a game in hand, with two games remaining for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arsenal face already-relegated Burnley next Monday, before travelling to Crystal Palace on the final day. However, Shearer has suggested Palace may field a weakened team against their London rivals.
Alan Shearer makes bold Crystal Palace prediction
Just three days after the end of the Premier League season on 24 May, Palace face Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday, 27 May, in the UEFA Conference League final at RB Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena in Germany.
As a result, Shearer, who recently questioned Man City manager Guardiola, has predicted Palace will field a ‘reserve’ side against Arsenal, with nothing riding on the game for the Eagles and a European final to focus on.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer said: “They [Arsenal] have to be [confident]. I mean, Burnley at home and Palace away. Palace are going to play a reserve team and that’s up to them by the way, because they’ve earned that right to do that.
“It’s their football club and they’ve got an agenda that they need to protect themselves in terms of winning their trophy, so they’re entitled to put whatever team out they want. So yeah, they have to be super confident don’t they?”
Micah Richards says title race not over yet
However, fellow podcast host and former City defender Micah Richards suggested it wouldn;t be so straightforward for Arsenal.
He said: “But it’s not, it’s not going to be [easy]. I mean, on paper, yes. But look at the QPR game with Man City, you think that was going to be an easy game – it wasn’t.
“I just feel as though, yeah they probably will get it done now and they’ve got to be super confident. Totally agree, but Palace.
“He’s going to play second string but players who have got something to prove also so that can be sometimes be the hardest games, you know?”
Pressure could still cost Arsenal
While they do have two easy games on paper, Arsenal have the weight of expectation firmly on their shoulders in the next few weeks.
City fans no longer expect their side to win the title, and that release of pressure may help Guardiola’s players relax and win their final three games.
Conversely, knowing they are within touching distance of the title may mean Arsenal go into their shells, with nerves and fear of making errors creating a tension through the squad that might cause them to slip up.
The title race is not over until it is mathematically impossible for City to win, something Guardiola will be reminding his squad of over the next few days.
