Alan Shearer has named Arsenal’s three Player of the Year contenders with the Gunners on the verge of winning the Premier League.
Arsenal were at risk of throwing away another Premier League title as they suffered a minor blip at the business end of the season, giving hope to title rivals Manchester City.
But Mikel Arteta’s side have responded superbly to a defeat to Man City last month to put themselves within touching distance of a first Premier League trophy since 2004.
Beating already-relegated Burnley on Monday night and London rivals Crystal Palace on the final day will see Arsenal become Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years.
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Arsenal might not even need two wins as Man City will need to beat in-form Bournemouth away and Europa League finalists Aston Villa to stand any chance of catching the Gunners.
A long-awaited Premier League title win would likely lead to an Arsenal player winning the Player of the Year award and Shearer has identified the three top contenders in Arteta’s squad.
Premier League record goalscorer and England legend Shearer went into bat for three Arsenal players after Gary Lineker revealed he would vote for Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes has enjoyed another superb season at Old Trafford and equalled the Premier League record for assists in a season as United beat Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
‘Bruno Fernandes is just a joyous footballer to watch,’ Lineker said on The Rest is Football podcast. ‘He’s equalled that Premier League assists record and got the Football Writers award.
‘I think he’s a major contender for Football of the Year. We often given these awards to players of teams who win but it’s just the best Footballer of the Year and I find it hard to go against him.
‘He would get my vote actually, he’s just such a great player to watch, his passing range and vision is exquisite.’
Responding to Lineker, Shearer said: ‘I would chuck three Arsenal players at you for that.
‘If Arsenal win the Premier League, which we expect them to do, I’d chuck David Raya, Gabriel and Declan Rice in there.
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‘I’m not taking anything away from Bruno Fernandes, I’m a huge fan of his and he’s been outstanding, God knows where Manchester United would be without him.
‘But yeah, I would chuck those three Arsenal players in there as well.’
Lineker replied: ‘Yeah, I wouldn’t complain at all if any of those three were crowned Footballer of the Year.
‘Bruno is the one player outside of Arsenal probably should they go on to win the Premier League.’
Arsenal are expected to prove far too strong for relegated Burnley on Monday night and Chris Sutton cannot see anything but a routine home win.
‘It is Arsenal’s title. They are not going to blow it now, against Burnley,’ the ex-Premier League striker told BBC Sport.
‘I can see it being quite a comfortable evening for the Gunners, actually. The home crowd will be nervous until they score but I can see Mikel Arteta’s side making an early breakthrough.
‘As much as Burnley are still scrapping, which they showed with their draw against Aston Villa last week, they have frustrated their own supporters much more than they have frustrated the opposition this season.
‘Arsenal are a much better team and, whether it comes from a set-play or open play, they will have too much for them.’
After hopefully clinching the Premier League title, Arsenal will attempt to win their first ever Champions League, taking on holders PSG in the final.
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