England and Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has challenged Arsenal to finally deliver a major trophy this season, insisting that their new squad depth leaves them with no excuses.
The former striker, speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, noted that Mikel Arteta’s side now boasts one of the most formidable squads in Europe following a busy summer transfer window.
A Strengthened Arsenal Squad
Arsenal’s summer business has transformed their squad. The arrival of Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting Lisbon provides the Gunners with the number nine they have lacked in recent years. His physical presence and goalscoring record in Portugal have given fans confidence that Arsenal now have a reliable spearhead for their attack.
The club also secured the signings of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace and Noni Madueke from Chelsea, strengthening the wings and offering additional creativity and pace. Alongside them, the additions of Cristian Mosquera, Christian Nørgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Martín Zubimendi have added quality and depth across the pitch.
Shearer pointed out that these acquisitions mean Arsenal are better equipped than ever to compete on multiple fronts. “Goodness me, look at the players they’ve brought on,” Shearer said. “They brought Trossard on, I forgot about him. Then you’ve got Eze to come in, Martinelli. The numbers they’ve got are really incredible now.”
Injuries Yet Options to Rely On
Arteta’s squad depth has already been tested after injuries to Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard in the 5-0 thrashing of Leeds United. In previous seasons, such setbacks might have derailed Arsenal’s momentum, but Shearer believes their reinforcements mean there are no excuses now.
“So they have to go on and win something pretty big this season,” Shearer insisted. “They’ve made a good start, and this squad is built to compete at the highest level.”
A Mixed Start to the Season
Arsenal’s campaign began with a hard-fought win against Manchester United, which Shearer described as “not a great performance, but the right result.” The Gunners followed it up with a dominant display against Leeds, showcasing their attacking flair and clinical finishing.
The challenge, however, is consistency. Last season, Arsenal led the Premier League for most of the campaign but faltered in the final weeks, allowing Manchester City to lift the title. Arteta will be determined to ensure history does not repeat itself.
A Clash With the Champions
Arsenal’s next test comes on Sunday at Anfield against reigning champions Liverpool, in what many expect to be an early title-defining clash. Both sides have won their opening two fixtures, but Arsenal top the table on goal difference.
The Gunners have not always enjoyed trips to Anfield, but with their reinforced squad, Arteta’s men will be optimistic about taking points off Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Former Arsenal star Thierry Henry has also urged new signing Eberechi Eze to make an immediate impact. “Make your presence count at Arsenal,” Henry advised, stressing that players need to rise to the challenge in big games.
The Pressure to Deliver
For Shearer, the equation is simple: with the investment Arsenal have made and the quality at their disposal, this season must end with silverware. Whether in the Premier League, the Champions League, or domestic cups, Shearer argues that a failure to win something substantial would be a huge disappointment.
“They’ve got the numbers, the talent, and now the belief,” Shearer concluded. “It’s time for them to turn that into trophies.”
As Arsenal prepare for Sunday’s showdown with Liverpool, the spotlight will be firmly on Arteta and his players. A victory at Anfield would not only underline their title credentials but also show that Shearer’s demand—that they “win something big”—is more than just talk.
