Troy Deeney believes Arsenal are the team to beat in the Premier League once again this season and has also shared his prediction for the top four.
After finishing as runners-up for three consecutive campaigns, Mikel Arteta finally ended Arsenal’s long wait for league glory by leading them to their first Premier League title in 22 years last season.
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Now that the World Cup has concluded and pre-season preparations are underway, the Gunners are focused on retaining their crown.
Arsenal have had a relatively quiet transfer window so far, bringing in Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier, while also completing Piero Hincapie’s permanent signing from Bayer Leverkusen after his impressive loan spell last season.
The north London side are still looking to strengthen in central midfield, on the left wing and in attack. Meanwhile, William Saliba’s back injury could encourage the club to seek another defensive option.
Despite that, former Premier League forward Deeney insists Arteta still possesses the strongest squad in the division and expects Arsenal to lift the title once again.
‘They should win the Premier League,’ he told talkSPORT. ‘They have still got the best squad; they haven’t lost anybody as of yet, other than Trossard, but then they’ve replaced him with a younger version of him from Club Brugge as well.
‘They’ve still got the best squad, still got the deepest squad rotation available. So I think Arsenal should still be the favourites, but I actually think there’s more pressure on them now than last year.
‘I think they’re outright favourites now; everyone’s expecting them to win it. This should mean there’s more expectation now on the style of play and on dominating lesser teams.
‘But I think they win it and it’s everybody else to try and catch them.’
Many of Arsenal’s rivals have been extremely active during the summer, with several clubs appointing new managers before the campaign begins.
Manchester City have welcomed Enzo Maresca back to the club, where he faces the huge responsibility of succeeding Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.
Liverpool have also made a change in the dugout, replacing Arne Slot with Andoni Iraola after the Spaniard led Bournemouth into European competition for the first time last season.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have turned to Xabi Alonso following a disappointing campaign that ended with the Blues missing out on European football altogether.
At Manchester United, Michael Carrick is preparing for his first full season in charge after initially taking over on an interim basis midway through the previous campaign.
However, Deeney believes the demands of balancing Champions League football with domestic competitions could prevent United from securing a top-four finish.
‘I don’t think they’ll make the Champions League places right now,’ he said. ‘The reason is we don’t know what Carrick’s like with three games in a week at this level. Obviously, we saw a bit of Championship, but not at this level.
Deeney’s predicted top-four for this season
Arsenal
Manchester City
Liverpool
Chelsea
‘Now, having to look at the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cups, Carabao Cups, you can’t go out as early as you have done in previous years.
‘There’s an expectation now to do more. Bruno Fernandes, do you really think he’s going to have the season he had last season again this season?
‘I just think that with the squad currently constructed as is, I don’t think there’s enough depth to get through all of those competitions, which I think will ultimately leave them short.’
With United tipped to miss out, Deeney expects Chelsea to take advantage in the race for the Champions League spots.
Asked to name his predicted top four, he replied: ‘Arsenal first, City second, Liverpool third, and just to annoy most people, I’m going to say Chelsea fourth.’
