Tim Sherwood has declared Arsenal as the team to beat for the Premier League title, predicting the Gunners will retain their crown ahead of Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United in his top-six forecast for the new season.
Speaking to Metro via NetBet Sport, the former Tottenham boss shared his insights after Arsenal's Community Shield victory over Manchester City, where summer signing Christos Tzolis impressed and Bruno Guimaraes made his first start following his move from Newcastle United. Arsenal, who ended a 22-year wait for the league title last season under Mikel Arteta, are still seeking reinforcements at centre back and left wing, but Sherwood believes they have enough quality to go again.
Arsenal's Winning Mentality
Sherwood pointed to the psychological shift that comes with finally getting over the line, noting that Arsenal had finished second three times before their breakthrough. 'I think Arsenal are still the team to beat,' he said. 'What was missing over the last three years was them to actually get over the line and win it and have that swagger of knowing they've done it and not that pressure.'
He also credited Arteta's ability to learn from Pep Guardiola, saying, 'He saw how Pep dusted himself off after one season and said, "That's gone; now we go again". It is that drive to keep going again. I think Mikel has learnt from the best to be able to drive his players to be able to achieve it again. If you're ever going to strengthen, it's when you're the champions and I think they have taken advantage of that.'
Pressure on Manchester City and Liverpool
With a host of managerial changes across the league, Sherwood highlighted the immediate pressure on Enzo Maresca, who has returned to Manchester City. After City's dispiriting Community Shield performance, Sherwood said, 'Maresca is going to have to fend off those questions. He's not Pep Guardiola, but no one is. It's going to be difficult for him because he's always going to be the man who took over from the great one. We saw how difficult that was after Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.'
He added that City's financial muscle gives Maresca a chance, but the departure of Rodri is a significant blow. 'Their best player in my opinion. I just think he's the most important player they have. I wouldn't rule them out, but it was a huge confidence shift and a flag in the sand for Arsenal.'
Sherwood was less optimistic about Liverpool under new boss Andoni Iraola, saying, 'Are they strong enough from the outside looking in? Probably not. I'd say they'll be in and around the Champions League argument.' He noted their squad depth and the emergence of players like Wirtz and Isak, but cautioned, 'Iraola took time at Bournemouth. He ain't got a magic wand. He can't change it around overnight. But I think in the end, he'll be a top-drawer manager at Liverpool Football Club.'
Manchester United's Champions League Challenge
Michael Carrick, who took over as interim manager midway through last season, is preparing for his first full campaign at Old Trafford. Sherwood fears that the added demands of Champions League football will cost United in the league, predicting they will finish sixth and miss out on a top-four spot.
In his full top-six prediction, Sherwood said, 'I think Arsenal win it. I think Man City are still second, just on the history of what I've done previously. I'll go Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and then Man Utd just missing out on Champions League in sixth.'
