Arsenal host Nottingham Forest this weekend looking to return to winning ways after a disappointing 1-0 loss to Premier League title rivals Liverpool before the international break
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta
Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal and Liverpool will be the main contenders for the Premier League title
Rio Ferdinand has changed his mind about the Premier League title race and now believes Arsenal will be the main challengers to Liverpool, not Manchester City.
The Gunners suffered a demoralising 1-0 defeat to title rivals Liverpool before the international break and will hope to get back to winning ways when they host Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Arsenal have spent big this summer, with more than £250million invested in a host of new signings, including Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke - but Liverpool remain strong favourites for the title.
Liverpool themselves have splashed out more than £400m on the likes of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz, adding to their already talented squad.
While Manchester City have strengthened too, Pep Guardiola's men have suffered a poor start to the season after two defeats from their first three games.
As a result, they no longer have Ferdinand's backing as one of the main challengers and he believes Liverpool and Arsenal will scrap for the crown.
"I think you always have to have respect for the champions, no matter who it is,’ Ferdinand told the Daily Mail. "Champions normally go into the following season as the team to beat, that’s inevitable.
"If you look at the way Liverpool have recruited in the summer, they’ve had the best window by far. Their intentions were pure and clean and transparent from the get-go, and they managed to execute everything apart from Marc Guehi. If they had got Marc Guehi, I think they would have cleaned up everything, to be honest.
Pep Guardiola looks dejected
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City no longer have Ferdinand's backing after their poor start to the season
"I think the only team who will be anywhere near Liverpool this season is Arsenal. They’ve got a great squad, real good depth with who they’ve bought. I think they’ve had a good window and if [Viktor] Gyokeres comes good, it puts them in a better position.
"I don’t think we’ll see anyone else. Anyone you think might be a surprise, a Newcastle or a Chelsea, I think European football hinders them a little bit in that respect. Just the demands it puts on the squad."
Arsenal will face a Nottingham Forest side that is preparing for its first game under new manager Ange Postecoglou following the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Gunners have two wins from their first three games, scoring six goals and conceding just once so far.
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