Arsenal news: Adrian Durham tips Gunners to challenge Liverpool and Manchester City for Premier League title – but rubbishes Tottenham Hotspur’s chances
Adrian Durham believes Arsenal are the only side capable of challenging Liverpool and Manchester City for the title next season.
Pep Guardiola’s men secured their second successive Premier League crown, but had to do so after a nail-biting finale with the Reds which went down to the last game of the season.
In truth, it was a two-horse race for the majority of the season, with 25 points separating second and third place.
But the Gunners have strengthened this summer, with Director of Football Raul Sanllehi earning praise from fans this summer for landing Nicolas Pepe, Dani Ceballos, Kieran Tiernay and David Luiz this summer and is leading the negotiations for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's new contract.
And although the Drivetime presenter does not believe the north Londoners can usurp either Liverpool or City yet, he does feel as though it will be close.
“The title will be won by either Man City or Liverpool this season,” Durham said.
“That’s not rocket science or putting your neck on the block by any means. But the only other side that could win it for me is Arsenal – here’s why.
“They had Aubameyang and Lacazette, they’ve added Pepe. They’ve got goals galore in their team.
“They have strengthened their defence and their midfield; David Luiz has come in and Ceballos has come in as well.
“So they’ve strengthened defence and midfield, now Manchester City are weaker.
“They’ve lost two leaders in [Fabian] Delph and [Vincent] Kompany, they’ve weakened their defence by losing Kompany and you wonder if Kevin De Bruyne is going to stay fit all season – because he does not normally.
“Liverpool did not add significantly to their squad, certainly didn’t add to their first XI. Are we expecting their front three to last all season, bearing in mind their exertions in the summer?
“So I think City and Liverpool will be weaker, it depends by how much, but they will be weaker this season and Arsenal have strengthened.
Given they reached the Champions League final last season and Harry Kane has already started the season in goalscoring form, many would expect north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur to be fighting for the title.
But Durham is having absolutely none of it.
He added: “Tottenham are going to be nowhere near the title, as usual…miles off!”