With the new Premier League season underway, football experts are divided on whether Arsenal can retain the title they won last season, ending a 22-year wait for the championship by pipping Manchester City under Mikel Arteta. That triumph also marked the final campaign of Pep Guardiola's reign at the Etihad Stadium, closing a golden era for City.
Having reinforced their squad with the additions of Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis, Arsenal enter the new campaign as favourites among most pundits, though rivals Manchester City and Chelsea have both broken the British transfer record to back their new managers, Enzo Maresca and Xabi Alonso respectively, as they look to disrupt the Gunners' reign.
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes was unequivocal in his backing of Arsenal, telling the Good, the Bad, and the Football YouTube channel: "They look strong. They look too strong. They'll win it again."
Wayne Rooney, speaking on Stick To Football, acknowledged the north London club's strength but warned of a competitive chasing pack. "You're looking at Arsenal and Man City," he said. "Chelsea will be a lot better this season, Tottenham will be better. You've got Liverpool in there as well. So it's going to be tough. Arsenal have the potential to run away with it but behind them we could see a lot of changes. I think Arsenal are the favourites to win it but can United nick second off Man City and start to build again and maybe challenge for the title next season?"
Michael Owen went further, suggesting Arsenal's rivals face too much uncertainty to mount a serious challenge. "Arsenal only have to stand still and they win the Premier League again," he said. "There are too many questions over the other teams, there are questions everywhere this season with all the new managers bar Arsenal. They will be steady and get mid to late 80s [points] and I don't think anyone can beat that. Arsenal are just set in stone to win the Premier League."
Not everyone agrees, however. Jamie Carragher believes Manchester City remain the team to beat despite Guardiola's departure. "I think City," he told the Football Ramble. "They were close last year... when you've had the same manager for 10 years, [Enzo Maresca] will offer something a little bit new, a little bit fresh." Carragher also suggested Arsenal's priorities might lie elsewhere: "With Arsenal I do feel like they will be [focused on] the Champions League. Winning the Champions League for Arsenal is far bigger... I'm not sure City will have that."
Former City defender Danny Mills conceded the difficulty of retaining a title but still tipped Arsenal. "There's always that feeling of, 'We've done it now,'" he said. "But Arsenal have to be the favourites because of their stability and because they've added to their squad."
Tottenham legend Chris Waddle instead pointed to Chelsea as the biggest threat. "Arsenal have got the healthiest, biggest and strongest squad, so they have to be the favourites for me, but if there's one club who could upset the balance at the top of the table this season it's Chelsea," he said, noting that Chelsea's lack of European commitments this season could work in their favour under Alonso.
Meanwhile, Louis Saha backed his former club Manchester United to be part of the conversation under Michael Carrick, praising their pre-season form, while ex-England midfielder Gareth Barry argued City's threat has diminished following Rodri's departure. "It's Arsenal's title to take," Barry said, though he predicted City would still finish second, albeit as a weaker force than last term.
As the season begins, the consensus points toward Arsenal as favourites, but with Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United all expected to push hard, this year's title race looks set to be another fiercely contested campaign.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport.