Sergio Aguero has named Aston Villa as his dark horses to challenge Arsenal for the Premier League title this season, while insisting Mikel Arteta's side remain the clear favourites and the 'team to beat'.
Arsenal begin their title defence at the Emirates this evening against newly-promoted Coventry City, following an emphatic Community Shield victory over Manchester City last weekend. The champions have strengthened over the summer with the signings of Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes, with Ezri Konsa also expected to arrive from Aston Villa.
Aguero backs Arsenal's strength in depth
'Arsenal were deserved champions and they've been doing a very good job with Arteta for several years now,' Aguero told Stake. 'Season after season they've brought in players who have strengthened what was a very young team and which now also has the experience needed to keep fighting for more trophies. And they've strengthened very well again.'
'I think they'll be the team to beat for everyone else. They have continued with a very clear playing philosophy and improved the areas where they needed to improve with their new signings.'
It has been a busy off-season for virtually all of Arsenal's potential title rivals, with a slew of managerial changes ahead of the new season. Enzo Maresca is back at Manchester City, while Andoni Iraola and Xabi Alonso have been tasked with improving the fortunes of Liverpool and Chelsea after their respective poor domestic campaigns last season.
Aston Villa backed as dark horses
And should those new managers take time to bed in, Aguero thinks it could open the door for Aston Villa and Unai Emery to challenge Arsenal at the top of the table. 'I'd add Aston Villa into the title race, they've been doing a great job with Emery,' he added.
'This is a season with a lot of changes at the big clubs. We'll have to see which one adapts the quickest and finds the consistency you need to stay in the title race until the end. You have to bear in mind that most of the usual contenders are starting new projects: Chelsea with Xabi Alonso, City with Maresca, Liverpool with Iraola, Tottenham with De Zerbi and United with Carrick. Some of them have been there a little longer, but they're still basically rebuilding their teams.'
Chelsea's lack of European football could help
Elsewhere, Aguero believes that Chelsea's lack of European football may allow Alonso a fast start at Stamford Bridge, insisting: 'Chelsea will be playing in fewer competitions and that will work in their favour in the Premier League. There will be less physical strain and fewer rotations. At the same time, it's also true that new projects need a lot of playing time to become established, and in that sense they'll have fewer opportunities.'
'But as I said, having fewer games will ultimately be an advantage, especially in the final part of the season when the league is decided. They have signed Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck, who are players with proven careers in the Premier League and they can provide that experience and leadership that a team with ambitions always needs.'
The new Premier League season kicks off with Arsenal hosting Coventry City at the Emirates this evening, as the champions look to lay down an early marker for the campaign ahead.
