Joleon Lescott revealed his Premier League title prediction after Arsenal’s Community Shield victory over Manchester City.
The Gunners lifted their first Premier League trophy since 2004 back in May, finishing seven points above Man City after a tense title race.
Mikel Arteta’s side sent a clear message to their title rivals in Sunday’s Community Shield, thumping Manchester City 3-0 in Enzo Maresca’s first competitive game in charge.
Man City remain second-favourites to win the Premier League with the bookmakers ahead of Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea, who are all hoping for significant improvements this season.
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Liverpool won the Premier League two years ago but title-winning boss Arne Slot lost his job at the end of last season after a disappointing fifth-place finish.
There is far greater expectation on Man United after Michael Carrick guided the Red Devils to a third-place finish after replacing Ruben Amorim midway through the campaign.
Chelsea, meanwhile, finished just 10th last term but are widely expected to improve under former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso.
Lescott says it is ‘difficult’ to win back-to-back Premier League titles but cannot currently see past defending champions Arsenal, insisting Sunday’s win over Man City would have been ‘daunting’ for other teams.
‘It is very early [to make predictions], but you would say Arsenal,’ Lescott, who won the Premier League twice with Manchester City, told Mirror Football.
‘Considering the key factors, they probably have fewer obstacles ahead of them. [Mikel] Arteta has continuity with the players and the squad now has genuine belief, so I would say Arsenal.
‘I know how difficult it is to win back-to-back titles, but that is my overriding opinion.’
Speaking on TNT Sports after the Community Shield, Lescott said: ‘Arsenal are close to where they want to be and I wasn’t surprised by that performance.
‘That’s the worrying thing, they’re at this level so early on. It’s going to be a daunting time for everyone.
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‘Concerned is the right word [for City]. It’s the whole performance really, and the gap. The worrying thing is the gap.
‘I doubt [Maresca] will be embarrassed, more disappointed. Embarrassment is probably too strong.
‘You don’t want to lose 3-0 to your arch rivals. There will be a lot of analysing this week and recognising what we can improve on.’
Arsenal begin their Premier League title defence on Friday night with a home match against newly-promoted Coventry City, managed by Frank Lampard.
Asked how Arsenal’s mentality is different going into the new season, Arteta said: ‘Probably there’s more belief.
‘You know how to do it, you know what it takes to win it and the contribution of everybody because last season that was the biggest asset of the team.
‘That every single player contributed to make us champions. We know that’s going to be exactly the same.’
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