The Premier League team who could knock Man City off their perch

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"I think it bodes well for the coming season."

It might be hard to believe it, but we're just a few days from the start of another season of the Premier League. Throughout the week, we've seen predictions galore across the social media as to who will finish top, who will clinch top 4 and who might be dropping back down to the Championship next season. Speaking on SportsJOE's House of Football podcast, former League of Ireland player Alan Cawley gave his predictions as to who will be crowned champions next year. Surprisingly Manchester City weren't the top choice.

"I think Arsenal actually, I'm gonna go for Arsenal."

"City are obviously phenomenal. I watched the game on Sunday and I know it's only the Community Shield, but honestly talk about two teams being up for it. Guardiola's face when they conceded the goal, Arteta went bananas. Arsenal came out winners of this year's Community Shield against Pep Guardiola's side, who ran out Premier League winners last season after the North London club crumbled in the latter half of the season. "Psychologically I think it's such a boost for them. Arsenal go into the season knowing they have emerged as their rivals now and always just to get one over on your rivals, I think it bodes well for the coming season." Continuing on why he thinks Arsenal will pip City to the title next season, Cawley looked to Mikel Arteta's strong squad building over the summer, particular the addition of Declan Rice. "I just think the way they've strengthened and how they look, the squad they've built up, I think they will push them really, really close. I'm not suggesting that flat out they're going to win the league. Also on the podcast was SportsJOE's Robbie Redmond, who agreed with Cawley's assessment of Arsenal running City close, adding: "City have lost players too and Arsenal have improved as Alan was saying. The last piece they get that could really make me think they could get gap on them is David Raya. I think he's phenomenal. I think by Christmas he'll replace [Ramsdale]." However there's one important missing piece that may hurt the North Londoners' chances next season. "I think they're lacking a goalscorer. Jesus is very good, he opens up the space for other players, Trossard will be good as a false nine, but they're going to have to [strengthen in that area]."

Top four predictions for upcoming Premier League season

While Cawley thinks it may be finally Arsenal's year, the two other hosts think that there's no stopping Guardiola for the upcoming season. Host Eric Lawlor predicted it will be City, Arsenal, United and Liverpool in that order, while Robbie Redmond went for a similar scenario with City, Arsenal, Liverpool and United just about squeezing into the top 4. You can watch the full House of Football below.

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