Rio Ferdinand delivers blunt Arsenal transfer verdict as Premier League prediction made

Rio Ferdinand is adamant that only Liverpool and Manchester City - not Arsenal - have a realistic chance of winning the Premier League next season.

Last season the Gunners finished as they had done the previous two editions of the Premier League, as runners-up. The difference this time was that it was behind Liverpool and not City.

Arne Slot enjoyed a dream start to life in the country by claiming the trophy in his first year whilst Pep Guardiola's side recovered a third-place finish after their mid-season drop-off.

Mikel Arteta could only pick up the pieces of a squad riddled by injuries as they dropped more than 20 points.

Since then the transfer window has opened and the Merseyside club have spent in excess of £200m on fresh faces to join their squad. Over in Manchester, City splashed more than £100m to refresh their ranks before heading to the FIFA Club World Cup.

Consequently, Ferdinand reckons it will be the old rivals who will go head-to-head for the English crown next term.

"It’s only going to be between Liverpool and Man City next season," Ferdinand said of the next title race in his latest YouTube video for 'Rio Ferdinand Presents'.

"Arsenal might kick up a fuss for a couple of months – six months maybe – [but nothing more]."

The former Manchester United defender went on to explain his inkling is because the Gunners have not purchased a striker as of yet.

He added: "Arsenal’s signings right now look likely to be [Christian] Norgaard, who is 31 years old, Kepa [Arrizabalaga], who was a reserve keeper at Chelsea, and Martin Zubimendi, but the entire fan base is crying out for a centre forward or a left winger."

football.london understands that the club are in talks for potential moves for both Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko, while it is expected only one will arrive in the end.

By comparison, Liverpool have acted to get the bulk of their business completed, including the £116m British transfer record signing of German midfielder Florian Wirtz.

Ferdinand commented: "I think what’s not being talked about enough is Liverpool’s ability to go and get a player that City were after, Bayern Munich were after and reportedly Real Madrid were also after. And Liverpool have come out on top in that.

"I can see it so clearly at the club right now, I can see their whole process and their vision – it’s so clear – and as a player, that’s what you want when you walk into the club and they’re pitching the project to you.

"I can imagine Wirtz coming out of that meeting with Slot and saying ‘don’t take any calls from any of those other clubs, I’m going here’."