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Topics: Gary Lineker, Arsenal, Declan Rice, Manchester City, Premier League, Football
Joe Adams
Topics: Gary Lineker, Arsenal, Declan Rice, Manchester City, Premier League, Football
Gary Lineker has had his say on who will lift the Premier League title next season, believing one new signing could make the difference.
Last campaign, Manchester City pipped Arsenal to clinch their third successive domestic title, leaving Gunners fans wondering where it all went wrong.
In the meantime, the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham all missed out on the top four and will hope to put up a better fight this time round.
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However, former England striker Lineker reckons Arsenal will right last season's wrongs and go one step further, believing the experience of being in a title race will help them.
"I’m tipping Arsenal to win the title this season — maybe just to avoid being predictable but I do think they have had an impressive summer in the transfer market", he told The Sun.
"Rather than demoralising them, going close and missing out last season will benefit Mikel Arteta’s side. Being in the title race has given them an experience that they didn’t previously have."
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Indeed, Arsenal will undoubtedly have their sights set on first place, having installed an all-black replica of the Premier League trophy in their training ground to help motivate the players.
While they have spent over £200 million on new recruits including Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber as Mikel Arteta prepares to mount another title charge.
Rice's eye-watering £105 million move from West Ham last month broke the British transfer record set by Jack Grealish in 2021. But Lineker believes the 24-year-old will justify his price tag and hopes to see him add goals to his game.
"A lot of players who move for big money struggle to cope with their price tag but I don’t think that’ll be the case with ex-West Ham skipper Declan Rice", the Match of the Day presenter continued.
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"He is an exceptional player — a holding midfielder but also far more than that. Rice is a real leader, who will run all day, a player who can break the lines and make things happen with the ball at his feet.
"Of course, £105million is a massive fee but he will not have the same pressure as a forward player who moves for big money because they are constantly judged on their scoring record.
"I’d like to see Rice add more goals to his game but nobody is expecting that of him."