Angry Arsenal fans’ response forces BBC pundit to explain himself over world class claim

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Alan Shearer did his best to wind up Arsenal supporters at the weekend as he revealed his belief that Manchester City star Sergio Aguero is the only world class player in the Premier League.

The former Newcastle United striker noted on Match of the Day on Saturday that the Argentine is the only genuine elite level player in the English top flight, and wasn’t convinced when host Gary Lineker pressed him on Alexis Sanchez.

Naturally, that led to a furious reaction from Gunners supporters on Twitter, which in turn has seemingly put pressure on him to come out and explain his reasoning.

“When I said on Match of the Day that Sergio Aguero was the Premier League’s only world-class player my Twitter feed went into meltdown,” he wrote in his column with The Sun.

“A world class player is one who consistently performs at the highest level and has done for many years. A player who could get into any of the recognised top-five teams in the world. Someone who influences virtually every game he plays in.

“A player who grabs occasions, chances, titles, opportunities by the scruff of the neck. Aguero ticks all these boxes. Alexis Sanchez and Kevin De Bruyne, who were just two names thrown at me, are very good players but they do not tick all those boxes.”

In the end, it comes down to opinions. Shearer has his and many of us will have our own on whether or not there are more world class players in the Premier League and indeed if Aguero influences every game given he’s just spent a week or so on the bench for high-profile clashes with Barcelona and Manchester United.

For a player that has scored over 140 goals in his club career, won a La Liga title along with UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup trophies and not to mention back-to-back Copa America titles with Chile while scoring 34 goals for his country, it’s difficult to leave out Sanchez.

Granted he hasn’t been as successful with Arsenal yet aside from an FA Cup to show for his efforts, but with eight goals in 13 appearances so far this season, the Chilean forward is on the right path to convincing Shearer at least.

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