Premier League Great Predicts Two Blues Teams Could Stop Arsenal From Winning Title; Gabriel Red Card Dispute Sparks Debate in London Derby

Recently, discussions about the Premier League title race this season have continued to attract attention. Former player Alan Shearer believes only Chelsea and Manchester City can keep pace with Arsenal, while Manchester United do not have the ability to challenge for the title. The comments upset some Red Devils fans, while also serving as recognition of Chelsea's performances in their first three matches. In fact, with the Blues focused on a single competition, they may be able to collect points more consistently in the league, giving them a chance to compete for the title.

Shearer also acknowledged that Arsenal are a strong title contender this season, with their advantages being defensive stability, reliable goalkeeping, and the fact that the manager and team have already developed understanding. Chelsea and Manchester City still need to build chemistry with their new managers. Richards also believes Manchester City are Arsenal's main title rival, while Chelsea are more entertaining to watch but need to improve defensively. Sutton believes Arsenal are unstoppable and that no Premier League opponent can match them, a view that has also caused debate. Because even last season Arsenal experienced setbacks, and without problems affecting other teams, Arsenal might not have won the title.

In addition, Chelsea legend and former defender Terry reviewed Chelsea's Premier League away match against Arsenal and specifically mentioned the incident in which Martinez was hit in the head. Terry said that although the team lost, he was pleased with Chelsea's performance, as the positive aspects shown in the match outweighed the negative ones. Rogers' early opening goal was excellent, and he has scored two goals and provided one assist in his last three matches, meaning this form could continue.

Discussing the incident in which Arsenal player Gabriel appeared to kick Martinez in the head, Terry said slow-motion footage showed that he did not touch the ball and instead made contact with the opposing goalkeeper's head. Terry believed that when the Chelsea goalkeeper reacted, if he had been the closest player, his first response should have been to put pressure on the referee: “Referee, he kicked him in the head, this is definitely a red card!” However, Terry said Chelsea's teammates did not do so, and the video assistant referee team also did not react, which was viewed as protection for the defending champions.

Terry believes young players need to learn how to communicate their appeals to referees during matches, surround the referee, create pressure from different angles, and that coaching staff should also influence proceedings from the sideline. If the referee had reviewed the footage, Terry believed it could have resulted in a red card. Besides Terry's disagreement with the decision, Scholes also commented on Rice's foul during the match. The incident occurred in the 83rd minute when Rogers was counterattacking and Rice brought him down. After Rogers got up, he argued with Rice, and the referee then showed a yellow card to the emotional Rogers.

Scholes said: “Do you think there may be an issue between Rogers and Rice? Do you think something might have happened between them this summer? Rice tripped Rogers while he was running, and this kind of foul is one of the most frustrating things in the world. His action caused Rogers to become angry, and that was understandable.” The Premier League great believed the refereeing decision was controversial, arguing that such a foul could have resulted in a yellow card for Rice, while Rogers received the booking instead.

There were reasons behind Rice's reaction. First, Rogers' opening goal put pressure on Arsenal at home, and he continued to create threats afterward, affecting Rice's emotions during the match and contributing to the foul.

Another factor was that Rice has not forgotten his early experiences. During his time in Chelsea's academy, he was released by the club and returned home, before eventually proving himself after a difficult journey. However, this was also related to his abilities and circumstances at the time. Without Chelsea releasing him, he might not have worked as hard to prove himself, which can also be viewed as an unexpected turning point.

The memories of that period continue to be discussed, also because Rice and Rogers' clash during the match attracted attention. At this summer's World Cup, Rogers was still his teammate, and they worked together to pursue success for England, but in league competition there was again a physical contact controversy between them, with neither side making further public comments afterward. In terms of squad strength on paper, Arsenal may be the team with the strongest title credentials this season. However, in previous seasons Arsenal have also led in the first half of the campaign before missing out later, and after winning the title last season, any drop in form this season could give other contenders an opportunity.