Lineker Tips Arsenal for Title Glory Despite Cup Exits and Injury Worries

Arsenal's fairytale campaign has hit a significant bump in the road. After mounting what looked like a genuine assault on an unprecedented Quadruple in the season's opening months, Mikel Arteta's side have stumbled badly over the past fourteen days, losing the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City before exiting the FA Cup quarter-finals at the hands of Championship outfit Southampton.

Yet despite this double disappointment, the north London club remain in an enviable position. They sit nine points clear at the summit of the Premier League table, with City boasting a game in hand and the two rivals set to clash at the Etihad before the month is out. Arsenal have also secured passage to the Champions League quarter-finals, where Sporting Lisbon await.

Gary Lineker remains convinced the title is Arsenal's to lose. Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, the Match of the Day stalwart acknowledged the difficult spell whilst maintaining his faith in Arteta's ability to navigate the storm.

"It's been a tough two weeks for Arsenal," Lineker reflected. "People are asking if they're panicking or if it's a crisis, it's definitely a little wobble."

The injury to Gabriel presents a particular concern. The Brazilian centre-back departed the Southampton defeat with ice strapped to his knee—a development that could prove costly given his importance to the Gunners' defensive structure. Lineker stressed the significance of Arsenal steadying themselves in the coming fixtures.

"The next game or two are hugely important for Arsenal, they need to steady the ship, there's no doubt about it. They've got a huge lead in the title race but it's squeaky bum time. I think they will be fine, I think they will win the league, which will still be the main thing for them."

He added: "The Champions League would obviously be an enormous bonus because it's a competition they've never won. I'm pretty confident they will win the league. It's not a bad situation to be in, nine points clear at the top of the Premier League and in the quarter-finals of the Champions League."

Beyond the immediate results, Lineker has detected something troubling in Arsenal's recent decision-making—namely their approach to international commitments. Several players withdrew from duty for their respective nations in recent windows, a move the pundit interprets as potentially revealing.

"Southampton played exceptionally well and Arsenal were off it," he said. "I do want to throw something out there and it's easy in hindsight but I thought there was a slight signal of panic when they withdrew so many players or the players themselves withdrew from international duty.

"I just wonder if it showed a bit of panic when you need a bit of calm and confidence. It's easier to say that now but I just wonder if it showed us something because you wouldn't ordinarily do that."

The narrative is clear: Arsenal remain favourites for the Premier League crown, but the margin for error has narrowed considerably.