Former Manchester City playmaker David Silva believes that Arsenal are the "only team" who may challenge the Citizens for the 2023-24 Premier League title.
Despite sitting at the top of the table for 248 days last season, Arsenal were pipped to the post by Pep Guardiola's relentless side, who eventually won a third successive title and finished five points clear of the Gunners in second.
Manchester United finished third and 14 points behind rivals Man City, while Liverpool and Chelsea endured disappointing league campaigns and failed to secure a place in the top four, the latter of whom eventually languished to a 12th-placed finish – a remarkable 45 points adrift of the Citizens.
Guardiola and co are now seeking to win a record fourth Premier League title in a row and have made a perfect start to the new campaign after winning each of their opening four matches.
Arsenal and Liverpool sit just two points behind the Citizens at the summit with 10 points each, while Man United and Chelsea have already suffered two defeats each and find themselves in the bottom half of the table in the early stages, six and 10 points adrift of Man City respectively.
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In a bid to knock Man City off their perch, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man United and Chelsea all splashed the cash on new signings during the summer transfer window, while Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur – considered by many as major outsiders for the title – have also bolstered their squads as they attempt to challenge for the European places.
Arsenal, in particular, made the statement £105m signing of midfielder Declan Rice, while Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and David Raya have also moved to the Emirates Stadium.
Now that the summer transfer window has closed, Silva believes that Mikel Arteta's side are the only team who may be capable of rivalling Man City for this season's Premier League title.
Speaking to The Mirror, Silva said: "[Man City] have an amazing team with some amazing players. This is Pep's eighth season at City. The first year he was getting used to the Premier League, but now they are almost unstoppable.
"Arsenal are the only team I can see who maybe have a chance of challenging City. The rest? I don't think they can."
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Commenting on Man City's treble-winning success last season, Silva added: "I watched nearly all of City's games in the Champions League last season. I couldn't win it when I was there, but I'm so happy for the club that they were finally able to do it.
"They deserve it. The club deserves it, the supporters deserve to win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup – the treble. It was an amazing achievement."
Silva was forced to retire from football at the age of 37 last month after damaging his anterior cruciate ligament during pre-season training with his final club Real Sociedad.
The Spaniard etched his name in Man City folklore during his 10-year stay at the Etihad Stadium between 2010 and 2020, winning 13 trophies including four Premier League titles.
Man City and Arsenal are scheduled to lock horns in the Premier League for the first time this season at the Emirates Stadium on October 8.
Oliver Thomas
