Alan Shearer has provided what he believes is the “big difference” in Arsenal’s hopes of a title charge this season. The former Newcastle and Blackburn striker has made his view clear that following the Gunners' summer spending, second place is simply not good enough.

“It has to be Arsenal’s year to win the Premier League,” he told Betfair. “They've spent an absolute fortune, finished second for the last three years, so we know, and Arteta knows that the eyes will be on him and he has to win the Premier League this year.

“When you spend the amount of money that they have, second is no good. They're strong, have had a really tough start and they've come through it. That's great credit to Mikel Arteta.

“If you look at the substitutes bench from last season against West Ham in February, compared to now, there are only two players on that bench from what there was last weekend.

“The big difference is that, when Martin Odegaard went off, he was replaced by Zubimendi. That's the difference.”

Where Shearer is certainly correct is the depth that the Gunners now possess, which positions them so strongly in the race for...