Michael Owen shares Prem title and top four predictions as audacious Man City comment made

Michael Owen has thrown his weight behind Arsenal to clinch the Premier League title this season, suggesting that Manchester City may falter significantly.

After falling just short to Pep Guardiola’s powerhouse for two consecutive seasons, the Gunners might just pip them to the post this time around to win their first title since 2004, claims the former England striker.

Meanwhile, he forecasts an unprecedented slip to fourth place for City, which would mark an all-time low for Guardiola in his illustrious coaching tenure.

According to the ex-Liverpool forward, with Arne Slot at the helm, the Reds are contenders for a runner-up finish, while Aston Villa are poised to maintain their stronghold within the top four.

Offering his insights to Casino Hawks, Owen said: “Arsenal and Manchester City will go in virtually everybody’s top four predictions and I think Liverpool will probably be in there as well despite there being some questions over how well Arne Slot will fit in. I had a thought about Newcastle but Aston Villa are solid and look to be still improving.

“In terms of the order, my thought process is if City are not gonna win it, they could actually drop away a little bit. It’s almost like if City are not gonna be really in the race after 10 games then their priority could go elsewhere – I think there could be a big surprise this season. I’m going to go for Arsenal first, Liverpool second, Aston Villa third and Manchester City fourth.”

The former England international also predicted that this season’s promoted sides – Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton – will be relegated back to the Championship, adding that clubs will increasingly struggle after promotion.

“I can see the three promoted teams struggling in the Premier League as a trend going forwards, the three that came up went down last season and if it wasn’t for the points deductions suffered by Everton and Nottingham Forest, it would’ve been even more convincing.

“They made a fight of it and everybody really enjoyed watching Luton play for example, but if Forest didn’t have points taken off then it would’ve been done earlier.”