Michael Owen makes Premier League title and top-four prediction

Michael Owen believes Manchester City will reach their target of winning the title but says Arsenal are “here to stay” after their impressive start.

Man City slipped four points behind early leaders Arsenal last weekend after their unbeaten run was ended by Liverpool.

Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Leeds United at the weekend confirmed their best start to a top-flight campaign for more than a century, and Mikel Arteta has been widely praised for getting the best out of his young team at The Emirates.

Tottenham are currently level with Manchester City on 23 points but have played a game more than most of their top-four rivals after losing to Manchester United on Wednesday night.

Chelsea are still fourth and remain unbeaten under new manager Graham Potter, although they were held to goalless draw by west London rivals Brentford last time out.

Man United are now just a point behind Chelsea, while Liverpool made up more ground on the other top-four contenders by beating West Ham at Anfield last night.

Despite Arsenal leading the table by four points, many still do not believe they will be competing with the champions for the crown.

Owen is one of those, although doesn’t think the Gunners will tail off massively. Speaking to Aceodds.com, he said: “Arsenal have surprised a lot of people, and I don’t think it’s a fluke.

“When you watch their performances, they’ve actually played really well. So I don’t think Arsenal are a flash in the pan at all. I think they’ll sustain it. I think they’ll have a good season.

“But I think Manchester City are different class to anyone at the moment. I think they’ve had a great start to the season. Obviously, they lost to Liverpool the other day, but they look so good in so many games. So I still think Manchester City will win the league, but I think Arsenal are here to stay.”

Pressed on how he sees the top four shaping up this season, Owen replied: “Well, it is tough to call the top four. Manchester City for sure. I think Chelsea are probably going to be in the top four. Arsenal as well. It’s very hard to leave one out, isn’t it?

“I’m actually torn between Liverpool and Tottenham at the moment. I’m going to say Liverpool, but how can you leave Tottenham out of the top four when they are playing particularly well as well?

“Manchester United, they’ve got a good chance. But there’s going to be a massive team that everybody would expect to be in the top four that are going to miss out this year.

“I do think Liverpool are still right up there among the elite. I think that even though Arsenal had a good start to the season and Liverpool are maybe ten points or so behind them, I still think that Manchester City and Liverpool are the top two teams in Europe for that matter.

“So it’s so hard to say. I’ll probably say Tottenham will miss out. I don’t actually believe that’s true, but I don’t know who else.”