The former Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United frontman has forecast the final Premier League standings when the 2026/27 campaign concludes.
Chelsea are expected to push Arsenal hard for the championship, according to Shearer, while Tottenham Hotspur are unlikely to secure the points needed for Champions League qualification.
Arsenal stand on the brink of becoming the first team since 1935 to retain their grip on English football’s top division, having last achieved a three-season streak in the First Division during the mid-1930s. Chelsea, meanwhile, are aiming to lift the Premier League trophy for the first occasion since 2017, when they held off Tottenham by a seven-point margin.
Spurs, having endured successive seasons battling against the drop and another record-breaking transfer window, are expected to prioritise reaching the 40-point threshold before considering higher ambitions. Shearer shared his complete league forecast with Betfair.
The 56-year-old pundit identified Arsenal as the side to overcome, despite concerns about their absence of a world-class number nine. He expressed confidence that Chelsea would mount a serious title challenge, while emphasising that Arsenal’s previous campaign victory had freed them from the burden of repeatedly finishing runners-up.
He believes the north London club can approach the new season positively following their summer recruitment. Arsenal will start the season as favourites, he stated. The upcoming campaign holds considerable promise after what he perceived as a somewhat underwhelming previous year, with many teams having invested heavily during the transfer window.
Arsenal’s activity in the market has impressed Shearer, who feels they identified their requirements precisely and executed their plans effectively. While he acknowledges they may not have concluded their business, he notes their strategic approach to transfers. A world-class striker would remain beneficial for sustained dominance over multiple seasons, though he acknowledges uncertainty regarding any potential move for Julian Alvarez.
The acquisition of Bruno Guimarães represents shrewd business, alongside other additions. The current squad appears capable of competing on all fronts simultaneously. Myles Lewis-Skelly demonstrated his importance with an impressive display in the recent fixture, and the potential signing of Christos Tzolis would enhance the squad’s quality.
Arsenal’s strength moving forward is evident, and Shearer considers them the team to beat once again. Regarding the proposed increase in substitution allowances, he questioned whether elite clubs already possess sufficient competitive advantages. Smaller clubs such as Aston Villa and Newcastle suffer from regulatory constraints, he argued, suggesting larger sides do not require additional leniency.