Peter Crouch has named Arsenal as the team to beat in the Premier League this season, insisting they remain the 'best team in the league' after ending their 22-year title drought last term.
The Gunners finished seven points clear of Manchester City to win the title with a game to spare, but their hopes of a double were dashed by PSG in the Champions League final six days later.
Arsenal backed for another title
Speaking on the That Peter Crouch Podcast, the former England striker said: 'He [Arteta] delivered and they got to a Champions League final. I'm going to go with Arsenal.'
He added: 'It's an interesting season this one but I think Arsenal are the best team in the league.'
Crouch then revealed his predicted top four, leaving out two of his former clubs, Liverpool and Tottenham.
'I'm going to go for Arsenal to win it, City second, Manchester United third and Chelsea,' he said.
Doubts over Liverpool
On Manchester United, Crouch said: 'I don't want them to win the league but I think they have improved. Is it different now Michael Carrick has got the job full-time? We'll see.'
Having attended Liverpool's pre-season clash with Wrexham, Crouch is not convinced his former club have enough to be title contenders under new manager Andoni Iraola.
'There were a lot of players missing, they played a lot of the youngsters,' he explained. '[Lewis] Koumas looked sharp, Trey Nyoni looks like a good player. Not a lot others played, [Dominik] Szoboszlai played.
'I'm not sure on Liverpool. I think the manager is great, I just don't know if the squad is there after losing the players that they've lost in the last couple of seasons. It's hurt them. Have they been replaced? I'm not so sure.
'It'll be interesting to see Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike when they come back. I know Isak scored against Monaco, it'll be interesting to see how they go.
'I don't think they can win the league this year.'
Crouch, who enjoyed three seasons at Anfield, added: 'I think they've got a great manager in charge and a couple of windows, they'll be challenging again.'
Haaland backed for Golden Boot
The ex-England international also tipped Erling Haaland to win the Golden Boot, saying: '[Erling] Haaland gets another 30 goals. He's a machine.'
