Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen has identified Arsenal as the team to beat in the upcoming Premier League season, backing the Gunners to retain the title they claimed last term.
Speaking to Metro, Owen acknowledged a competitive landscape but insisted Arsenal deserve favourite status. “I think there can be a few title challengers this season,” he said. “With Chelsea not in Europe, they can mount a challenge. New managers at Liverpool and City could hit a good run of form early on and be in with a shout as well. Tottenham have signed well, too.”
He added a note of caution: “So Arsenal are favourites for sure, but it’s not a foregone conclusion that they win it comfortably.”
When pressed for his projected top six, the former Real Madrid forward listed Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, in that order.
Owen’s assessment reflects the shifting dynamics across England’s elite clubs. Chelsea’s absence from European competition offers them a scheduling advantage, while managerial transitions at Anfield and the Etihad introduce uncertainty that could either destabilise or galvanise those squads. Tottenham’s summer recruitment has also drawn praise for addressing key positional needs.
Arsenal, meanwhile, enter the campaign with the momentum of a title-winning side and a squad that has matured through successive near-misses. Their consistency over the past two seasons has established them as the benchmark, though the margin for error remains slim in a division where four or five clubs possess genuine title credentials.
The new Premier League season kicks off this month, with Arsenal’s opening fixture set to test their resolve immediately. For Owen, the script is written in pencil: Arsenal lead the cast, but the supporting players are ready to rewrite the ending.
