Alan Shearer makes Premier League table prediction as Arsenal face Chelsea issue

This season, the Gunners have the opportunity to defend an English top-flight title for the first time since 1935, when they won the First Division three years in succession. Meanwhile, the Blues will be looking to get their hands on the Premier League trophy for the first time since 2017, when they stifled the Lilywhites by seven points.

As for Spurs, after back-to-back relegation scares and another record-breaking summer of spending, they will be focused on banking 40 points before they begin to look up the table. Speaking to Betfair, Shearer predicted the full Premier League table for the 2026/27 campaign.

The former Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United striker has described Arsenal as the team to beat, despite 'lacking' a 'top-class centre forward'. Shearer said: "While I think Chelsea will give Arsenal a run for their money, the big thing for the Gunners was winning it last season and getting that off their back, after finishing second all those times.

"I think they can look forward to the season now with their new signings. So, Arsenal will be the ones," added the 56-year-old. "I’m really excited for the Premier League season to start.

"I'm really hoping that it's a better season in general for everything than it was last season, because I thought it was a bit flat. I'm hopeful that this year will be really exciting. I think there are so many things that are tough to call, and I think it will be a real good battle.

"Lots have teams have spent big this summer, and I think Arsenal have done really well. Maybe they're not even finished yet. I think they've been really shrewd. I think they've pinpointed what they needed. I think 95 per cent of the time, they’ve got that done.

"I still feel as if in terms of a top-class centre forward, they're lacking to perhaps go and, I wouldn't say dominate, but go and do something for a number of years. I think that would still be on their radar, whether they tried to get Alvarez or not, I don't know.

"I think, in the main, Arsenal have done really well. I think the signing of [Bruno] Guimarães and one or two of the other bits that they've done have been really solid business.

"I think they have a squad now to consistently challenge across all four fronts. It even looks as if they are now keeping hold of [Myles] Lewis-Skelly. He played a major part in the game last week and was really impressive in the midfield.

"I think [Christos] Tzolis will add quality in terms of being a squad member. I listened to Arteta after the game saying that he's been on to the Premier League to allow more substitutions, so it allows him to have more members in his squad sat on the bench. Not that I would welcome that.

"The big clubs have it their own way enough anyway don’t they? They have enough quality there. They want big squads and can pay for big squads. It’s the likes of Aston Villa and Newcastle that unfortunately have to miss out because of the rules, so I wouldn’t agree with allowing more substitutions.

"But overall, I think that tells you how strong Arsenal are and will be. I do think they've done good business, and I think they're the team to beat again."

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