How Deeney Sees the Race
Why He Backs Arsenal to Go Again
Deeney’s headline call is that Arsenal will successfully defend the title they won last season — Mikel Arteta’s first league crown in 22 years for the club — insisting the Gunners still boast the strongest squad in England.
Behind them, he lines up Manchester City second and Liverpool — now under Andoni Iraola — third, keeping the established heavyweights at the sharp end of his forecast.
Chelsea Over United
The eye-catching part is fourth. Deeney backs Chelsea to grab the final Champions League place ahead of Manchester United — a call he admitted was partly designed to wind people up.
His reasoning centres on depth. Deeney doubts United can cope with the combined load of domestic and Champions League football on their return to Europe, arguing there isn’t enough squad depth to get through all those competitions — something he feels will ultimately leave them short.
He also flagged uncertainty over how Michael Carrick’s side will handle three demanding games a week at that level across a first full campaign.
“Arsenal first, City second, Liverpool third and, just to annoy most people, I’m going to say Chelsea fourth.”
On United: he doesn’t think there’s enough depth to get through all the competitions, which he believes will leave them short.
A Bold Shout Worth Debating
Deeney’s top three reflects the consensus, but backing Chelsea over United for fourth is the sort of call that sparks debate — and the depth argument is a fair one for any side juggling a European return with a 38-game league grind. Whether Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea have the consistency to deliver it is the open question.
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