Rio Ferdinand predicts Premier League title winner and top four

Rio Ferdinand is backing Arsenal to win the Premier League title this season, ending Manchester City’s run of dominance in the top flight.

Pep Guardiola’s men have won the last four Premier League titles, becoming the first side to do so and they will be bidding to make yet more history in the forthcoming campaign.

The Gunners have come second in each of the last two seasons, coming close to toppling the Cityzens, but not quite managing it.

Ferdinand reckons Mikel Arteta can bring the title back to north London this time around, though, believing their one summer signing so far will make a big difference.

Riccardo Calafiori has arrived from Bologna and Ferdinand is so impressed with the defender that he reckons he will help make Arsenal champions.

‘I think it’s hard to go against City because of how successful they’ve been over the last four seasons,’ said Ferdinand on TNT Sports. ‘They’ve set a new benchmark, a new record of four in a row.

‘But I just think Arsenal, Calafiori coming in on the left hand side, if he comes in and sures that area up…I think he’s a fantastic player, played at Bologna under Thiago Motta, he understands that type of football that Arteta wants to play.

‘I think that was the area that was a slight weakness in the team, he gives them a bit of balance there and a bit of stability. So I’ll go maybe Arsenal to win it, but there’s got to be a hunger.’

Ferdinand confirmed his picks for the top four, backing his old club Manchester United to return to the Champions League places.

The former England defender fancies Arsenal to finish top, ahead of Manchester City, with Liverpool third and the Red Devils in fourth.

Arsenal will begin their Premier League title challenge on Saturday at home to Wolves, with Manchester City travelling to Chelsea on Sunday.

Manchester United get the season underway by hosting Fulham on Friday night, with Liverpool going to newly-promoted Ipswich Town on Saturday lunchtime.

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