Alan Shearer confident of Premier League two-horse race with Arsenal, Man City, Spurs and Liverpool verdict

Premier League legend Alan Shearer has tipped Arsenal to push Manchester City all the way in this season’s title race after the Gunners stunned the treble winners last weekend.

This year’s top-flight campaign had got off to a predictable start with Pep Guardiola’s side strolling to six wins on the bounce and a place at the top of the league with relative ease. However, back-to-back losses to Wolves and Arsenal before the international break has caused a Premier League shake-up.

At this early stage, it’s the Gunners and North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur occupying first and second place as both clubs continue an unbeaten start to the season. Both teams, so far, look capable of mounting a title challenge but Newcastle United hero and all-time Premier League top scorer Alan Shearer thinks that Ange Postecoglou’s men will drop off as the weeks go on.

Writing in his BBC Sport column, Shearer said: “To finally beat Manchester City in the Premier League was great for Arsenal and their manager Mikel Arteta, and it is also good for the title race.

“I still think it will just be City and the Gunners battling it out come the end of the season but for now only three points separate the top four, which gives all of them hope.

“The big surprise is seeing Tottenham lead the way as we head into the international break, but they are flying under new boss Ange Postecoglou and have picked up some excellent results. I’m not sure how long Spurs will spend at the summit but the fact they don’t have any European football this season will definitely help their chances of staying in the top four.”

Shearer compared the rejuvenated Spurs’ side’s ability to focus on the Premier League to Newcastle United’s rise up the table last season but ultimately ruled that the loss of talisman Harry Kane would eventually come back to bite Postecoglou’s side.

The pundit also acknowledged a return to form from Liverpool this season but, after conceding two against Brighton, Shearer shared his belief that Jurgen Klopp’s men lack the defensive stability on show at the Emirates Stadium and the Etihad Stadium.

Shearer wrote: “So far, Liverpool are right up there as well, but again I am not convinced they will sustain a title challenge Jurgen Klopp’s side are always going to score goals because of the attacking players that they have, but I still have my doubts about them defensively.

“The Reds are exciting to watch when they come forward but we saw again in their draw with Brighton that they concede too easily - there is something missing at the back.”