Sam Allardyce makes 'flabbergasting' title prediction after Arsenal thump Man City

Ex-Premier League manager Sam Allardyce (Picture: YouTube)

Sam Allardyce expects Arsenal to fail to retain the Premier League trophy this season despite a statement win over Manchester City in the Community Shield.

Mikel Arteta’s side underlined their status as Premier League title favourites with a dominant 3-0 win over Man City in the traditional curtain-raiser for the new season.

The Gunners clinched their first Premier League title since 2004 last season while they were a penalty shootout away from winning the Champions League for the first time.

Arsenal look by far the most settled team at the top-end of the Premier League, with many of their potential title rivals under new management going into the 2026-27 campaign.

Enzo Maresca has replaced legendary Pep Guardiola at Man City, Andoni Iraola has taken over from Liverpool title-winner Arne Slot and Xabi Alonso is preparing for his first season at Chelsea.

The stability at Arsenal and uncertainty at other clubs has made Arsenal short favourites with the bookmakers to retain the Premier League trophy.

But Allardyce believes Arsenal will miss out on back-to-back league titles and has instead tipped Manchester City to regain their status as Premier League champions.

Mikel Arteta holding the Premier League trophy (Picture: Getty)

Asked to reveal his Premier League title prediction on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Allardyce said: ‘Man City. I think Enzo Maresca is going to have a great first season. If he doesn’t he will be out.’

Reacting to Allardyce’s surprising prediction, Liverpool legend Phil Thompson said: ‘I wasn’t expecting that, it’s flabbergasting.

‘I’m going with Arsenal. I just think Arsenal because they’re more settled than the other possible title rivals.’

New Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca (Picture: PA)

Meanwhile, Allardyce revealed why he is ‘worried’ about Manchester United and Michael Carrick, who he wants to succeed at Old Trafford.

‘I’m still worried about Manchester United’, the former Premier League and England manager added. ‘Everyone will be looking to see if Michael Carrick can keep it up because he overachieved last year.

‘There’s a massive downside to that because you build expectations. They absolutely can’t be outside the top-four.

Arsenal thumped Man City in the Community Shield (Picture: Getty)

‘I want Michael Carrick to succeed just to show everyone you can be a failure and turn into a massive success.

‘What he did last season was force the Man United board to give him the job based on what he did on and off the field. Now he needs to be even stronger and manage the club, not coach it.’

Arsenal begin their Premier League title defence on Friday night when newly-promoted Coventry City visit the Emirates Stadium.

Ex-England striker Michael Owen believes another Arsenal title win is ‘set in stone’ as there are ‘question marks’ over every other side.

‘Arsenal only have to stand still and they win the Premier League again,’ Owen said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast sponsored by Midnite.

‘I can’t see anyone jumping out of the pack and getting 85 points whereas Arsenal are pretty much guaranteed to hit that number again.

‘They’re such a steady team with such a good goalkeeper and defence, I just can’t see the wheels falling off.