Mikael Silvestre has backed two teams to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title next season.
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Man City will attempt to win a fourth straight league title next term after they reeled in long-time leaders Arsenal to lift the trophy last season.
City and Arsenal pulled well clear of their domestic rivals as Manchester United struggled for consistency and Liverpool and Chelsea both underwhelmed.
Liverpool are expected to improve having challenged and won league titles recently under Jurgen Klopp, while Chelsea fans hope the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino helps the Blues compete again.
But Silvestre doubts Liverpool and Chelsea will mount title challenges, instead believing that Man City’s greatest competition will come from last season’s runners-up Arsenal and third-placed Man United.
The Gunners have already spent more than £200m on new signings this summer, while United have bolstered Erik ten Hag’s squad with England midfielder Mason Mount and Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Asked who he expected to rival Man City for the Premier League title, Silvestre told GGRecon: ‘I believe that Arsenal will challenge again next season and I believe that Man United will close the gap at the top too. That’s about it.
‘I don’t know where Liverpool will be to be honest, because it’s difficult to anticipate what’s going to happen at this moment.
‘My prediction is that Arsenal and Manchester United will be Manchester City’s closest challengers.’
Discussing Arsenal’s hopes after they missed out on the title despite sitting top of the table for 248 days, Silvestre added: ‘I have no doubt that they will continue to progress under Mikel Arteta.
‘They’ll get plenty of points, be tight defensively and score plenty of goals both home and away.
‘This team has found their way of playing, their confidence is high and the players are young and hungry.
‘They know they were close last year, so they will be hungry for more next season and I don’t see any reason why this team shouldn’t improve even more.’
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