Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero believes Manchester United and Arsenal are the two sides that will rival them for their Premier League crown next season.
City wrapped up their fifth top-flight title in the space of six seasons recently under Pep Guardiola. The Blues chased down and overtook Arsenal as the Gunners faltered in the closing stages and City retained their status as champions.
City finished the season five points ahead of Mikel Arteta's side, after the Gunners had spent much of the season at the summit and looked on course for their first Premier League title since the Invincibles of 2004. City, however, overtook the Gunners to ensure that did not come to pass.
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Aguero won the Premier League on five occasions with City before departing in 2021. He then joined Barcelona but retired a short time after moving to Spain on medical advice.
Looking ahead to the 2023/24 campaign, Aguero believes City will be a big candidate for the title again next season. But he believes second-placed Arsenal and a resurgent United who finished third in Erik ten Hag's first campaign in charge will be the biggest challenges to his old team in their quest for a sixth title in seven years.
Aguero said in a column for Stake: "City will continue to be a candidate next season. 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.
"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."
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