Shearer says: “I’m really looking forward to Arsenal v Man Utd.”

Premier League legend also discusses the transfer window

It’s been a really difficult week for the football world with the news of the airplane carrying Emiliano Sala disappearing as he was travelling from Nantes to Cardiff. We are all praying for positive news and when something like this happens, it just puts football into perspective.

The transfer window

There is just a week left in the January transfer window and many clubs will be desperately trying to do some business before it shuts.

Arsenal need one or two players so it would be no surprise to see them strengthen their squad.

Newcastle definitely need some signings but I very much doubt any money will be spent given how the last few windows have gone at the club.

It would take someone very special to become available for Manchester City or Liverpool to sign anyone, as they have to be happy with the way the season has gone so far with what they already have at their disposal.

Manchester United could do with a defender or two.

But it is a difficult situation for them at the moment as they do not know who their manager is going to be next season. So I would be surprised if they invested a lot of money either.

Often the signings that are made in the January transfer window are out of desperation and panic which can lead to clubs paying over the top.

Managers will look at where they have come up short over the last few months and try to fix the situation.

Higuain is what Chelsea need

Chelsea have been lacking in the number nine position this season. They have tried putting Eden Hazard in that role but he has clearly not enjoyed playing there.

Gonzalo Higuain has scored a lot of goals throughout his career. He is 31-years-old now but his goal stats are incredible and that’s what Chelsea need with them being the lowest scorers in the top six.

I don’t think we are going to be seeing him moving all over the pitch but he has been brought in to put the ball into the back of the net and that is what he has been good at throughout his career.

Maurizio Sarri has been very critical of his players recently in the press. The problem is that when a manager starts doing that, they end up on a slippery slope.

He has clearly tried to send a message out to the fans, not the players. I am sure he would have made his feelings clear to his players in the dressing room.

We have seen at Chelsea over the last few years, once the manager comes out against them, they drop tools and ultimately it leads to the manager’s dismissal.

Injury woes at Spurs

Tottenham are set for a challenging period over the next couple of months as they are without three or four of their leading players through injury, including Harry Kane.

It looks like Mauricio Pochettino is going to work with what he has in his squad rather than replacing them.

Fernando Llorente came into the team last weekend, while they will be desperate for Heung-min Son to return from international duty.

I don’t think they are going to be challenging for the title over the next few months so their priority will be to secure a top four finish and to try to lift some silverware in the cup competitions.

Arsenal v Man United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has done an excellent job since arriving at Old Trafford.

He has transformed the mood at the club. I know the feeling when a manager doesn’t believe in you. I had the same issue with Ruud Gullit at Newcastle.

Sir Bobby Robson then came in and he gave everyone a huge lift. In my first home game under him, we scored eight goals against Sheffield United and I bagged five of them.

I think Ole has to be strongly considered for the role full-time now. He has earned that.

There is obviously a long way to go in the season but if he continues this run, they will have a good chance of a top four finish.

I will be working on the game at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow evening when United take on Arsenal in the FA Cup. I am really looking forward to this one.

Both of these clubs are outside the top four currently, so the FA Cup may be a competition which rescues their season so I expect them both to field strong teams which could make for a cracking game.