'Utterly infuriating' - Alan Shearer admits the one Arsenal bug-bear that almost made him swear on live TV

Alan Shearer is in no doubt over what Arsenal need if they are to go one better in winning the Premier League title this season. The Gunners are now five points off the pace of leaders Liverpool amid a frustrating last few weeks.

Mikel Arteta have been top at points this season, but they have struggled to see off some of their lesser - on paper that is - opponents, and they have not been clinical enough in front of goal. That's something Match of the Day pundit and legendary Premier League frontman Shearer has highlighted.

He told The Athletic: "They need a killer alright, a cold-blooded finisher whose first and only instinct is to pull the trigger." He added: "For a little while, I felt like an Arsenal fan; watching their FA Cup defeat against Liverpool was maddening, an exercise in stomach-churning frustration. As each golden chance came and went, the closer I came to turning the airwaves a vivid shade of blue.

"It took a lot of self-control (and a tongue bitten half to shreds) not to scream, 'OH MY GOD, NO NO NO, JUST F***ING HIT THE BALL, PLEASE.' As a former striker, I found all those unnecessary touches, the muddled decision-making and the moments of hesitation utterly infuriating.

"I can certainly understand why supporters would be bemoaning their lack of a proper, high-quality centre-forward. If it’s so clear to them and so clear to the rest of us, then surely Arsenal’s hierarchy can’t be immune to it."

Arsenal signed Kai Havertz ahead of this season, but Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah remain their main options at the top end of the pitch. The Gunners have been linked with the likes of Ivan Toney ahead of this January window, but Financial Fair Play may well prevent them from snapping up a new striker this month, meaning Arteta could live to regret not signing a proven goalscorer last summer.