Harry Redknapp Predicts Arsenal to Challenge Man City for Premier League Title
Harry Redknapp has named Arsenal as Manchester City’s biggest rival in the Premier League next season, as Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea all target title challenges. Man City won their third successive league title last term after pipping Arsenal at the business end of the season.
The Gunners were top for 248 days but collapsed towards the end of the campaign to finish five points behind Pep Guardiola’s treble-winners. Manchester United finished third in Erik ten Hag’s first season at Old Trafford and also lifted their first trophy since 2017, beating fourth-placed Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final. Liverpool narrowly missed out on the Champions League for only the second time under Jurgen Klopp, while Chelsea finished just 12th in the Premier League after a disastrous campaign under three different managers.
Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea will all hope to run Man City closer next season but ex-Premier League manager Redknapp expects Arsenal to be the ‘main challenges’ for the second year in a row after signing Declan Rice. The Gunners are set to unveil Rice as their new club-record signing after agreeing to pay West Ham over £100m for the England midfielder.
Redknapp told GB News: ‘I’m sorry to see him leave West Ham, I was hoping West Ham would keep him for another couple of years at least. But I think he will certainly improve Arsenal’s chances of finishing above Man City next year, which is not easy. Man City will be red hot favourites again. But Arsenal have made a couple of good signings, I think they’re going to be very strong. I see them as the main challenges to Manchester City, for sure.’
Redknapp also says Rice will be welcomed to Arsenal with open arms and expects the 24-year-old to adapt ‘very quickly’ to his new surroundings in north London. Manchester City rivalled Arsenal for a deal for Rice but Mikel Arteta got his way in a move that makes the England star the most expensive British player in history.
Redknapp added: ‘I think if you feel that he’s going to help you win trophies then you’re only too happy to have him there. It’s not a problem. I think Declan Rice is a great lad anyway, he’s a fantastic character. He will go in and they’ll absolutely love him. He’s a bubbly personality. He’s got a couple in the Arsenal team playing the England team with him. So he’ll adapt very quickly. He will be the life and soul of the dressing room for sure.’
With Rice set to join Arsenal, it looks like they could be Man City’s biggest challengers for the Premier League title next season. Redknapp believes that Rice will make a big difference to Arsenal’s chances of finishing above Man City and that he will fit in well with his new teammates. With Arsenal’s other signings this summer, it looks like they could be a force to be reckoned with next season.
It remains to be seen whether any of the other teams challenging for the title can keep up with Man City and Arsenal, but one thing is certain: it’s going to be an exciting season of Premier League football!