Gary Lineker Defends Arsenal Against 'Choked' Claims After Man City Defeat
Lineker Rejects 'Choked' Narrative
Gary Lineker has jumped to the defence of Arsenal following their 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, insisting he will not listen to claims that the Gunners have "choked" in the Premier League title race.
Arsenal Remain in Title Hunt
Despite Erling Haaland's winner putting Manchester City just three points behind Arsenal with a game in hand, Lineker believes there is still reason for optimism for Mikel Arteta's side. The Gunners still have a Champions League semi-final tie against Atletico Madrid on the horizon and remain firmly in the Premier League title hunt.
- Arsenal lost 2-1 to Manchester City
- Erling Haaland scored the winner for Manchester City
- Arsenal remain in the Premier League title hunt
"It's not impossible that it'll be down to goal difference and it is very, very close," Lineker explained. "It's great for the neutrals because you want it to go as close as you can right at the death so in that sense it was good. I feel a little bit for Arsenal, they're going through it a little bit but they're still in the semi-final of the Champions League, they've got plenty to play for, they can still win the Premier League title."
Reasons for Optimism
Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, Lineker dismissed the idea that Arteta's men have fundamentally buckled. Lineker added that it's great for neutrals to see the title race go down to the wire.