Shearer believes Arsenal will win PL title on two conditions after ‘sending message’ to Man City

Alan Shearer believes Arsenal will beat Manchester City to Premier League glory after their win at Aston Villa “sent a message” to the reigning champions.

Arsenal managed to overcome the Villans thanks to two injury-time goals.

Ex-Gunners goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez scored an unfortunate own goal to give the visitors the lead in the 93rd minute before Gabriel Martinelli sealed the win.

Mikel Arteta’s side had to dig deep but thoroughly deserved the three points.

They were boosted by Manchester City’s 1-1 draw away to Nottingham Forest a couple of hours after their dramatic win.

City leapfrogged Arsenal on Wednesday night after their 3-1 win at the Emirates, but are now two points behind the Londoners – who have a game in hand.

There is still a lot of football to be played, but former Newcastle United striker Shearer has tipped the Gunners to win the title, on two conditions, however.

Shearer thinks the fitness of Thomas Partey – and other “key players” – will be crucial, while “a little bit of luck” would not go amiss.

The Premier League all-time goalscorer said on Match of the Day: “I know Thomas Partey is out injured at the moment, but if Arsenal can get him back and then have a little bit of luck between now and the end of the season with keeping their key players fit, I think they will do it, I really do.

“Based on the second-half, Arsenal deserved the three points today. But they didn’t just get the win, they sent a message out to Manchester City too.

“Sometimes you just need to find a way to win and they did that in the second-half.

“When you look back at the game against Man City, they made two huge errors and got punished for them. They missed some big chances as well and that was the difference between the teams.”

Arsenal are away to in-form Leicester City next before they look to get revenge on Everton at the Emirates.

Arteta’s men were beaten 1-0 by the Toffees earlier this month, in what was Sean Dyche’s first match in charge of the Merseyside club.

The Gunners had been without a win in three league encounters – including the defeat at Goodison Park – prior to their victory at Villa Park on Saturday.

Jorginho was arguably their best player for the second game in a row after his controversial move from Chelsea last month.

Many Arsenal fans were left extremely underwhelmed, and frankly p*ssed off after their team missed out on Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo and signed the Italian instead.

Once again, however, Arteta seems to have proved that he does in fact know better than your average Twitter user. Who’d have thought it?