Gary Lineker changes Arsenal title prediction after Chelsea and Man City wins | Football

Gary Lineker has tweaked his Premier League title prediction after watching Chelsea and Manchester City’s impressive wins over the weekend.

Before the season began, Arsenal were the heavy favourites to retain the title, in part because their main rivals are undergoing rebuilds under new managers.

Yet, Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea and Enzo Maresca’s City are, alongside surprise package Hull City, the only teams to have won win their opening two games of the campaign.

The Gunners can become the fourth when they visit Aston Villa on Monday night.

Chelsea’s attack of Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers looks especially dangerous, scoring seven goals against Fulham and Brighton, though defensively they have struggled, conceding five.

City only just beat Bournemouth on the opening day, but were back to their imperious best on Friday night, thumping Crystal Palace 4-1.

‘Comparing the best front-threes this season, it will be hard to beat Chelsea,’ England legend Lineker said on the Rest is Football.

‘Man City are the other one. Arsenal obviously are the top side having won the league last season, but their strengths probably lie elsewhere in the team.’

He later added: ‘But Manchester City have firepower. It’s been a good start for Enzo Maresca.

‘Following Pep Guardiola you need a good start. It was absolutely essential because you don’t want the fans doubting you. You particularly don’t want the players [doubting] when you’re used to someone for that long, but the fact that he was there with Pep for a long time will help them.’

Lineker had previously tipped Arsenal to win the Premier League title at a canter, but now sees the Blues and the Citizens as true contenders.

‘I predicted last week that Arsenal would win by 10 points – I’ve changed my mind.

‘I think City and Chelsea might run them close but I’ve not changed my mind on the title. I still think that Arsenal have to be the favourites.’

Following the trip to Villa Park, Arsenal will take on Chelsea at the Emirates next Sunday, which may give everyone a clearer indication of who will be lifting the trophy in May.

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