Joe Cole has backed Manchester City to dethrone Arsenal this season unless the Premier League champions sign Victor Osimhen before the transfer deadline.
Mikel Arteta’s side begin their title defence on Friday night when newly-promoted Coventry City, managed by Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, visit the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners won the Premier League by seven points last season and look well-placed for another successful season after Sunday’s emphatic Community Shield win over Man City.
It has been suggested that City, the dominant force in English football over the past decade, could struggle in their first season without legendary manager Pep Guardiola.
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But Cole has backed Enzo Maresca to win the Premier League in his first season at the Etihad Stadium unless Arsenal sign a new striker before the summer transfer window closes.
Arteta is interested in bringing in a new No. 9 before the transfer deadline, with Arsenal heavily linked with Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez and Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen.
Viktor Gyokeres ended his first season at Arsenal with 21 goals in all competitions but Cole nevertheless believes the Sweden international must be replaced for Arteta’s side to go back-to back in the Premier League.
Asked for his title prediction on the Dressing Room podcast, ex-England star Cole said: ‘I’ve been flipping and I’m going to put an asterisk on this.
‘I think Man City win the title if Arsenal don’t bring in a No. 9 because I still think that will be a problem for them.
‘So I’m going to go Man City to win the league ahead of Arsenal but if they bring in Victor Osimhen, I would flip it back. But as it stands I’m going for Man City.’
Cole won three Premier League titles at Chelsea and expects the Blues to greatly improve this season under Xabi Alonso.
Chelsea finished just 10th last term but Cole has backed his former club to climb back into the Champions League places.
‘I’m going to go Chelsea in third place, I think they’re going to have a really good season,’ Cole added.
‘Not having any European football is massive, we saw how that helped Manchester United last season.
‘Chelsea have finally got some experience through the door as well. Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Estevao had relaxing summers to varying degrees, not hugely intense summers, so I think they will all be at it.’
Alonso’s first Premier League game in charge of Chelsea is a west London derby against Fulham on Monday night.
Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney says Arsenal are not only ‘favourites’ to win the Premier League but could ‘run away’ with the title.
‘Arsenal have the potential to run away with it but behind them we could see a lot of changes,’ Rooney said on Stick to United.
‘I think it’s unrealistic to think Manchester United are going to win the Premier League this year, I don’t think they will.’
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