Steve McManaman believes Arsenal are still the "team to beat" in the Premier League and has predicted the top-four finishers for the upcoming season. The north London club won their first league title since 2004 last season, and they strengthened their squad this summer with the additions of Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa, and Christos Tzolis. Arsenal started their title defense strongly, defeating Coventry City and Aston Villa in their opening matches. This weekend, they face a crucial test against Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium. McManaman praised Arsenal’s squad-building, saying they have the strongest team in the league and should be the favorites to retain their title. "The standout side in the division is obviously Arsenal – I think the business they've done has been excellent," he said. "They were strong last year, and to bring in Bruno Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis, and Ezri Konsa has only strengthened them further." He emphasized the importance of having experienced players in the dressing room, noting that Premier League experience is key in today’s fast-paced environment. McManaman also spoke about the changes at other major clubs this summer. Enzo Maresca, Xabi Alonso, and Andoni Iraola were appointed as managers at Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool, respectively. He expressed optimism about Chelsea’s start under Alonso, saying, "I think Chelsea have got an excellent opportunity; Xabi is a great manager, they've got a big squad and they play one game a week, so that will definitely help." He acknowledged that finishing 10th last season was a disappointment but believes the club should improve significantly this year. However, McManaman is less confident about Manchester United’s prospects under manager Michael Carrick, especially with the club returning to the Champions League. "As for the top four, I'd go Arsenal, I'd probably go with Man City, just because of the amount of players they've got, and then Liverpool and Chelsea. I don't think Man United will be anywhere near the top four." His predictions highlight Arsenal’s dominance and the competitive nature of the Premier League this season.