Alan Shearer has cast doubt on Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League title following their disappointing exit from the FA Cup.
The North London side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Southampton in their quarter-final encounter at St Mary’s Stadium. Southampton opened the scoring through Ross Stewart, putting early pressure on Mikel Arteta’s men.
Arsenal responded in the second half, with substitute Viktor Gyokeres finding the equaliser to bring the visitors back into the game.
However, just as it seemed the tie could swing either way, Shea Charles came off the bench to net a late winner in the 85th minute, sealing Arsenal’s elimination from the competition.
Despite the setback, Arsenal are still competing on two major fronts this season—the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. In the league, they currently sit nine points ahead of Manchester City, with seven fixtures left to play.
However, Shearer believes the psychological impact of the FA Cup defeat could prove decisive in their title pursuit. According to him, such a loss at a crucial stage of the season could affect the players’ mindset and momentum.
He told Betfair: “After Arsenal got knocked out of the FA Cup, it will be incredibly tough for them, mentally, to go on and achieve what they want to achieve.”
The former striker’s remarks highlight concerns that while Arsenal remain in a strong position in the league, maintaining focus and confidence after a cup exit could be a significant challenge.
