Gunners fired up

Gabby Agbonlahor: Arsenal. They’ve got the strongest squad, they’ve been there and done it. We can’t judge the teams chasing them yet as they’ve got new managers – Enzo Maresca in at Manchester City, Andoni Iraola at Liverpool, Xabi Alonso at Chelsea.

Danny Murphy: Without all the new signings being done yet, it’s hard to call, but I think Arsenal will win it again. Mikel Arteta’s side will have greater strength in depth than last season and more quality. They also have the confidence and belief from winning it last year.

Des Lynam: Arsenal are still the team to beat as they have a great squad and have strengthened over the summer.

Stephen Warnock: It’ll be between Arsenal and Man City. Arsenal will continue to build on last year. With Maresca coming in, not too much will change in terms of style for Man City and that’ll help the players. Whether it can be transferred from the manager on to the pitch, we’ll wait and see.

Who will be the best of the rest?

Agbonlahor: Chelsea. We know what Alonso did at Bayer Leverkusen. They’ve signed Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa and they’re looking at other players as well. You can’t ignore the fact that Chelsea have no European football and can save their players’ legs. Man City, Liverpool and Man United will be up there, although Man United have Europe to deal with now. But don’t rule out Villa. Unai Emery is doing something special there. They’ll be in and around the top five.

Murphy: Man City will push Arsenal closest due to their strength in depth.

Lynam: Man City will be looking to push Arsenal, although we wait to see if the loss of Pep Guardiola might be a factor. Maresca is a very good manager but he might need some time to fill Pep’s giant shoes. Chelsea under Alonso will be stronger this season, and Cole Palmer and João Pedro will be fresh having not played at the World Cup. Man United finished very well last season and I expect them to continue that form, providing they can hold onto Bruno Fernandes.

Warnock: Probably Man City. Maresca goes into the club knowing a lot about it already, like the style. Not much has to change, he’s obviously got Erling Haaland and a decent spine. It all depends on whether he keeps Rodri.

Who’s a surprise package?

Agbonlahor: Coventry City might have a better season than many are predicting. Frank Lampard has done a fantastic job and has Premier League experience. Can he get Coventry safe and maybe do a Sunderland? They’ve got some really good players that were too good for the Championship. We’ll see if they’re good enough for the Premier League.

Murphy: Tottenham will be significantly better and surprise a few. They’ve made really good signings and have a quality manager in Roberto De Zerbi. I think Chelsea will be up there.

Lynam: I fully expect Spurs to finish in the top half this season and knock on the door of European football. Leeds might do better than expected, too.

Warnock: Nottingham Forest. If manager Oliver Glasner gets the backing in the transfer window, they will have a strong season because of
his management style.

Which teams might struggle?

Agbonlahor: I worry about the teams that have come up, like Hull City. It could also be a tough season for Newcastle United. They’ve lost a very important player in Anthony Gordon, and they’ve also lost Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães. But if they struggle, the fans won’t accept it.

Murphy: Newcastle United might find it tough this season with the quality of players they have lost over the summer. They won’t be in a relegation battle, but will struggle while adapting to the loss of such influential players.

Lynam: Some of the clubs who have to juggle Europe with the demands of the Premier League might find their squads get tested to the full. I put Aston Villa, Sunderland, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and my beloved Brighton in this bracket, although I don’t necessarily see any of those having relegation concerns. At least two of the promoted sides will go down, most likely Hull and Ipswich.

Warnock: I know Sunderland recruited extremely well last year, but Ipswich will be very interesting after losing Kieran McKenna.

Who are your players to watch?

Agbonlahor: Rio Ngumoha at Liverpool is going to get a lot of games this season. He was training with the England World Cup squad and Iraola is great with young players: look at what he got out of Antoine Semenyo and others at Bournemouth. Johan Manzambi at Aston Villa is a really talented young player and I can see Youri Tielemans being a standout at Man United. Don’t rule out Cole Palmer and Phil Foden. New managers can be a breath of fresh air and they know they’ve got a lot to do to get back into the England set-up.

Murphy: Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers. I expect both to have huge impacts at their new clubs.

Lynam: Erling Haaland will no doubt end up with the golden boot again, but I can see João Pedro doing well at Chelsea. At the back, Jan Paul van Hecke is a good signing for Spurs and I’ll be interested to see James Trafford at Leeds – he’s too good to be a reserve.

Warnock: Hayden Hackney, who has just signed for Everton. I loved him at Middlesbrough and thought he did well for England Under-21s. It’s whether he can step up to that next level. I think he’s a future England player.

Which players could have a breakout season?

Agbonlahor: Josh King at Fulham. He’s only 19 but played a lot last season and kept Emile Smith Rowe out of the side. Whenever I watch him play for Fulham, the way he creates space as a number 10… Maybe everything he tries doesn’t come off, but when you’re 19 that’s going to happen.

Murphy: Rio Ngumoha will have a breakout season at Liverpool. He will produce more goals and assists, and play more minutes than last season. Ngumoha is now ready and Andoni Iraola will get the best out of him.

Lynam: The obvious answer is Arsenal’s Max Dowman, who became the youngest title winner and the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history last season. However, if Patrick Dorgu can remain injury-free at Man United, he might be a man to watch.

Warnock: The two players I’m excited to see this year are Max Dowman at Arsenal and Rio Ngumoha at Liverpool. It will be very interesting to see if they can break into their respective teams and hold down a place. They are extremely talented, players who get you on the edge of your seat.

Which new manager will excel?

Agbonlahor: Xabi Alonso at Chelsea. Real Madrid didn’t work out for him, but it doesn’t for a lot of managers so I won’t judge him on that. He was brilliant at Bayer Leverkusen, his ideas and tactics, where he went unbeaten and won the Bundesliga. Only playing one game a week is going to be a relief for the manager and the players, so don’t be surprised if they finish in the top three.

Murphy: I’ll go for Roberto De Zerbi at Spurs, although I think Andoni Iraola will get Liverpool playing exciting football.

Lynam: Roberto De Zerbi stands out for me. I had the pleasure of watching him at Brighton and the extreme passion he demands from his players, he also exudes from the touchline.

Warnock: Oliver Glasner at Nottingham Forest. If he’s given the backing, he’ll do a brilliant job.