Shay Given names his favourite in three-way Premier League title race

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Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. ‘You can’t rule Manchester City out of the title race this early in the season, but they have got a lot of work to do if they’re to go and win it,’ Shay Given told Ladbrokes at the launch of Ladisfaction. ‘That’s probably because of Arsenal and Liverpool, and the squads they’ve built over the last few years. Arne Slot has had a bad few days as Liverpool boss (Picture: Getty Images) ‘You could argue that City are going through a bit of a transitional period, because they’ve brought a lot of names in over the last couple of transfer windows, but also they’ve lost so much experience too. ‘You’ve got to keep rejigging things when you’re at the top, because all great eras come to an end, and the question for Man City this year is are this group of players ready and good enough to challenge on all fronts?

And part of me thinks they actually are. ‘The good thing that they’ve got going for them right now is that no one is really talking about them; that might actually play into their hands as the season goes on, because everyone is talking about Arsenal and Liverpool. ‘The noise around City is relatively quiet right now, which is crazy when you think of the size of the club and the players they’ve got. Yes, they’re a few points adrift at the minute, but it’s still so early in the campaign, and they’ve been there and done it before. ‘That’s key, because Arsenal haven’t.

Shay Given is expecting a dramatic title race (Picture: Getty Images) Given is far from certain on who will emerge from this season with the Premier League trophy, but he feels Arsenal are strongest placed to become champions. ‘It’s difficult to say who wins it at this moment in time, but I’m expecting it to ebb and flow all season,’ said the former Newcastle and Manchester City goalkeeper. ‘I suppose as I sit here right now, if I look at every squad in the cold light of day, then I’d say Arsenal are the ones to beat.’ Ferdinand is still backing Liverpool Six-time Premier League winner Rio Ferdinand felt Arsenal’s win at St James’ Park was ‘massive’ but stopped short of making the Gunners favourites over Liverpool. ‘This was a massive, massive shift in mindset and belief,’ the Manchester United legend said on Rio Ferdinand Presents. ‘They answered a lot of the critics out there. To go to Newcastle and win is huge because if they draw that game or lose that game questions would be asked. ‘I’m not saying they will win the league but there’s moments in the season that you draw inspiration from.