Arsenal will be looking to finally end their Premier League title drought and win the English top flight this season.
The Gunners have finished second in each of the last three seasons, and haven’t won the league since 2004.
Sporting Director Andrea Berta has spent almost £200 million to try and give Mikel Arteta the best set of tools to launch another concerted assault on the elusive piece of silverware.
Viktor Gyokeres has arrived from Sporting CP as the marquee addition, while the likes of Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi and Cristhian Mosquera have all joined Arteta’s squad to raise its floor.
Wayne Rooney thinks Arsenal will finish second again this season
Despite these incoming signings, the general football landscape doesn’t appear confident that the Gunners can finally win the Premier League.
Jermaine Defoe thinks Arsenal will finish fourth, placing each of Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea ahead of the North Londoners.
Meanwhile, Steven McManaman believes Liverpool will pip Mikel Arteta’s team to the title, as does Peter Crouch.
Wayne Rooney is the latest former player turned pundit to not put faith in the Spaniard’s ability to win silverware.
The ex-Manchester United star has predicted Arsenal to finish second for a fourth year in a row, behind Liverpool, who he expects to retain their title.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Rooney put Manchester City third, Chelsea fourth and snuck his former club United in fifth.
“I still think they [United] need one or two more signings,” he said.
“But, I think I can see what [Ruben] Amorim is doing, and I think it’s looking better for Manchester United. I think they’ll sneak into the top five, and I hope they do.”
Sunday’s game between Manchester United and Arsenal will put Wayne Rooney’s predictions to the test
Arsenal take on Manchester United in their first game of the season on Sunday at Old Trafford.
The Gunners need to hit the ground running, to ensure they take advantage of any adaptation period Liverpool may have at the beginning of the campaign, as the Merseysiders look to integrate new signings.
The clash will provide an early indication of how accurate Rooney’s predictions will prove to be.
United were dire last season, and despite making some positive forward signings this summer, they shouldn’t be expected to be anywhere near the top six yet.
However, if they give Arsenal a stern test at Old Trafford, then they could be primed to outperform expectations.
Meanwhile, if the Gunners can’t navigate their way past the Red Devils, then their position as title challengers may immediately be questioned.
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