David Silva feels Arsenal are the only team who will mount a credible challenge to the Premier League dominance of Manchester City this season.
The Citizens have won the past three Premier League titles and five of the last six. They secured a superb treble last term, beating Manchester United in the FA Cup final and Inter Milan to lift the Champions League. But, far from resting on his laurels, manager Pep Guardiola has strengthened his squad during the summer.
Josko Gvardiol, Matheus Nunes, Jeremy Doku and Mateo Kovacic have been recruited.
Their capture offset the departure of Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte, Cole Palmer and Ilkay Gundogan.
Any thoughts that the north-west giants might take a few games to get into their stride have already been dispelled.
Heading into the international break, they were the only side with a perfect record in the Premier League.
Wins over Burnley, Newcastle United, Sheffield United and Fulham sees them top the table after four games.
It is already looking ominous for City’s rivals, many of whom have spent big during the off-season.
Silva backs Man City for further glory
Arsenal dug deep, spending around £200m to bring in the likes of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber to the Emirates.
Whether it is enough to topple the champions only time will tell.
But former City ace Silva believes no side bar the Gunners has any real hope of landing the title.
“They [City] have an amazing team with some amazing players,” he told The Mirror.
“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.”
Silva can speak from a position of authority, having played 436 times in all competitions for Manchester City.
The former Spain international won four Premier League titles and two FA Cups at the Etihad.
And he also collected five EFL Cup winners medals before leaving for Real Sociedad in 2020.
The 37-year-old opted to hang up his boots during the summer after 20 years as a professional.
He has watched his former team dominate English football since his departure.
And the man who won 125 Spain caps clearly feels they are the team to beat.
Arsenal top of chasing pack
Arsenal finished second last season, ending up five points behind City after 38 games.
Third-placed Manchester United were 14 points adrift while Newcastle United, in fourth, finished 18 points behind.
United have brought in some talented players while the Magpies have also recruited well over the summer.
But it is Chelsea’s spending that has caught the eye.
Mauricio Pochettino ditched several players before unleashing a colossal spending spree.
