Former Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United manager Harry Redknapp believes Arsenal will be Manchester City's main Premier League title threat next season after winning the race for Declan Rice.
It is widely expected Rice will join Mikel Arteta's side for approximately £105m this summer. The move will come after City submitted a bid for the Irons captain which was around £90m.
This offer was rejected and Pep Guardiola decided not to submit another bid as he searches for another midfielder following Ilkay Gundogan's departure. While Redknapp believes City will be the favourites to lift the title, the 76-year-old feels the Gunners will be pushing the Treble winners all the way.
In an interview with GB News, he explained: "I am sorry to see him [Rice] leave West Ham, I was hoping he would stay at West Ham for another couple of years at least. I think he will certainly improve Arsenal's chances of finishing above Man City next year which is not easy, Man City will be red-hot favourites again.
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"But, Arsenal have made a couple of good signings; Declan Rice, [Kai] Havertz. I think Arsenal will be very strong next year and I see them as the main challengers to Man City for sure."
City will be meeting Arsenal earlier than usual this season when the two teams face off at Wembley in the Community Shield on Sunday, August 6. The match normally features the winners of the Premier League against the winners of the FA Cup but as City won both, they will face the top flight's runners-up instead.
A number of City fans will be boycotting the match though due to the kick-off time. Originally, the game was scheduled for later in the day but the FA moved the start to 4pm.
This has not appeased some City supporters though with fan group 'The 1894' leading the boycott as they ask people to donate to MCFC Fans Foodbank instead.
