Arsenal are flying in all competitions this season, but Alan Shearer has picked the Gunners' one regret as they chase a first Premier League title in over 20 years
Alan Shearer reckons Arsenal's defeat to Liverpool stands as their biggest regret this campaign, as Mikel Arteta's squad chase their first Premier League crown in more than 20 years. The Gunners headed into this week facing two of their fiercest competitors across different competitions.
On Wednesday, Arteta's men comfortably dispatched Champions League table-toppers Bayern Munich 3-1. With all clubs now having completed five matches, Arsenal stand as the sole team to have triumphed in all their opening Champions League fixtures. Throughout these encounters, they have let in just one goal whilst netting 14 themselves.
Turning attention to Sunday, Arsenal face their second major showdown of the week as they aim to secure a statement victory over second-placed Chelsea.
But whilst Arteta concentrates on the immediate challenge, Shearer has reflected on the season and identified where Arsenal's disappointments may rest.
He told Betfair: "It's ironic, isn't it, that Arsenal's only defeat was against Liverpool. That looks like a bad result now, doesn't it? Liverpool have been absolutely shocking since then.
"But I guess the only team that has been consistent has been Arsenal, whereas everyone else has been really up and down.
"They've got the strongest squad, there's no doubt, and they've had injuries, but you wouldn't have thought that because of the quality of players that come in.
"I mean, [Noni] Madueke's been out, he comes back at the weekend, and then scores mid-week. [Takehiro] Tomiyasu goes off, [Riccardo] Calafiori comes in, he goes off and [Gabriel] Martinelli comes on, he scores. So that's the sign that they've got a really strong squad.
"They will believe that they can win it, and they'll also say that there's still such a long way to go - and that's what they have to say.
"But Arsenal have been the standout team by an absolute mile at the minute. In every competition, basically, in the Champions League and in the league."
Only six times previously in Premier League history has a side held a six-point advantage or greater after 12 matches - and on each occasion, that team went on to lift the trophy. Should results favour Arsenal this weekend, their cushion at the summit could stretch to nine points.
Remarkably, the Gunners themselves hold the record for the biggest comeback in Premier League history. During the 1997/98 campaign, they trailed Manchester United by 13 points before mounting an incredible fightback to claim the championship.
What may work in Arsenal's favour this term is the absence of a dominant challenger. Manchester City appeared to be Arteta's main concern, but following their 2-1 defeat at Newcastle last weekend, Chelsea have moved into second place.
By the end of this weekend's fixtures, either the Blues, City, Aston Villa or even Crystal Palace could occupy the runner-up position. Last season's champions Liverpool currently sit in 12th, well adrift of Arsenal's pace.
However, a stumble for Arsenal this weekend at Stamford Bridge could see their cosy six-point lead cut to a mere three. They've remained unbeaten in all competitions since their 1-0 loss to Liverpool in late August, and Arteta will be keen to prolong that record beyond this weekend.
In regards to the runners-up battle, Man City play a struggling Leeds United on Saturday at the Etihad Stadium. Aston Villa make the short journey to Wolves on Sunday where Crystal Palace will also play Manchester United.