Paul Merson has identified Liverpool as Arsenal's closest Premier League title rivals for the upcoming season, dismissing Manchester City's chances despite their big-money signing of Elliot Anderson.
Arsenal's title defence and City's changing fortunes
Arsenal won the Premier League last season for the first time in 22 years, finishing seven points clear of Manchester City. City have since signed Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a £116 million deal and appointed Enzo Maresca as manager. However, they face the possible departure of Rodri, with Real Madrid in talks to sign the Spain captain.
Liverpool's new-look squad
Liverpool, now managed by Andoni Iraola, are in negotiations to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain. They have already added Spanish left winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna and French centre-back Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes.
Merson's assessment
Writing in his column for Sky Sports, Merson questioned City's title credentials. "Don't get me wrong, in the big games, when they're playing back away in the Champions League in a quarter-final or the last 16, then you need two holding midfield players. They were a bit too open in the Champions League and were well off it last year," he said.
"But the holy grail is the 38 games in the Premier League. And there aren't enough games in the Premier League for them both to play in the same team."
Merson added: "Unless they bought Anderson and he gets a season of learning under the best in the world in Rodri. But £116m is a lot to spend on someone to be an understudy. Rodri will want to play, and he won't want to sit there and be someone's understudy.
"But you're still selling one of the best players in the world. I don't think Man City will win the Premier League this year anyway. They didn't win it last year with the best manager in the world. They were only ever in the title race because Arsenal had a bad three weeks. I think Liverpool are Arsenal's nearest challengers this season."
Title odds
Premier League 2026/27 title winner odds via Betfair: Arsenal 6/4, Man City 11/4, Liverpool 11/2, Man Utd 7/1, Chelsea 8/1, Tottenham 20/1, Aston Villa 33/1.
