Former Newcastle star and current BBC pundit Alan Shearer is refusing to consider Arsenal as one of the favourites for the Premier League title for now. 

The Gunners appear to have recovered from a sluggish start to the 2016/17 campaign after four straight victories over Watford, Southampton, Hull City and Chelsea following the opening day defeat to Liverpool at the Emirates stadium.

Arsenal have now moved up to third place on the table, five points behind league leaders Manchester City as they look to launch another title challenge after finishing runners-up to Leicester City last season.

However, Shearer has pointed out the failure of meeting expectations last term as one of the reasons why Arsenal cannot be completely backed for the crown just yet.

“You have to reserve judgement on Arsenal because too often they falter.” Shearer said in his column for the Sun

“Too many have been made to look daft by being carried away by days like Saturday.”

According to the ex-Blackburn and Newcastle striker, Arsene Wenger cannot escape criticism unless he delivers another Premier League title in his Arsenal reign.

“It is for Wenger to prove the doubters wrong. As he has made very clear, he has the team with the ability to do it. Now he has to prove he’s still the manager to do it.”

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