Aguero makes surprise exclusion in 23/24 title race prediction; tips Arsenal to ‘rival’ Man City again

Jason Soutar
Sergio Aguero at the Miami Grand Prix

Sergio Aguero thinks Manchester United and Arsenal will be Manchester City’s closest competitors for the Premier League title next season.

The Gunners came second this term, finishing five points behind Pep Guardiola’s side, who won their third league title in a row.

Plenty of pundits are already making bold claims when it comes to the 2023/24 title race, with pretty much everyone expecting City to come out on top yet again.

A lot of people are completely ignoring Arsenal, with United and Liverpool tipped to be the Cityzens’ closest challengers.

City legend Aguero has actually decided to snub Liverpool from his tips to fight alongside his former club for the title, instead saying it will be the Gunners and Red Devils.

‘City will continue to be a candidate next season,’ Aguero wrote for Stake. ‘It has been shown that it is the best team in the Premier League, with a very clear style of play, which has won three consecutive titles, something difficult to achieve.

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‘Why not think then that you can get another? Surely, as he does every season, Pep will continue to make the adjustments he deems necessary to remain competitive. But this is the Premier League and it is football, there will be several teams that try to dethrone them.

‘I think that Arsenal has established a very important base of young players with a long way to go. Mikel Arteta will try to reinforce his lines and will be one of the rivals to beat next season.

‘We must not forget about Manchester United either, who have returned to their competitive spirit and will be one of those who most want to defeat City.’

United face City at Wembley on Saturday in the final of the FA Cup.

Guardiola’s men are on course for a treble having also reached the final of the Champions League, where they will take on Inter in Istanbul.

The Red Devils are the only English side to win a treble that includes the Champions League, so their players should be extremely motivated when they take to the pitch to face their city rivals.

Erik ten Hag has done a spectacular job in his maiden season at Old Trafford, leading his side to a third-place finish in the league and two cup finals, winning the Carabao Cup showpiece against Newcastle United in February.

A top-four finish, a cup win, and another final represent an extremely solid season when you take into consideration where United were this time last year.

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