Michael Owen says only two clubs can rival Arsenal for the league title next season

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen (Picture: Getty)

Michael Owen is confident that only two clubs are in the running to wrestle the Premier League title away from Arsenal next season.

After three successive runners-up finishes, Arsenal have finally got over the line to win the Premier League title for the first time since 2003/04.

The Gunners threatened to throw away the title down the home straight, but bounced back from a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City with four straight wins, eventually securing the trophy when Pep Guardiola ’s side dropped points to Bournemouth in midweek.

And Arsenal’s season could get better still should they prevail over defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final next Saturday.

Many of Mikel Arteta’s squad have a big summer in store, too, at the World Cup, but the Spaniard will soon be turning his focus towards preparing for next season as he bids to defend the Premier League title for the first time in the club’s history.

And former Liverpool striker Michael Owen believes Arsenal’s sternest test next season will come from the two big Manchester clubs, who finished second and third respectively this time around.

‘I think a challenge next season is only going to come from Manchester,’ Owen told Metro.

Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions on Tuesday (Picture: Getty)

‘I think Man City will be strong, even if Pep leaves, they ran Arsenal very close this season and have a good group of  young players who have shown will be in a title race next season and with two domestic cups, they will come back stronger.

‘And it’s been a while but Manchester United can be a title contender under Michael Carrick. You look at their form since he arrived and it’s definitely one of a title contender.

‘Liverpool will hope to challenge, but they need to get everything right to do so and I’m not sure they are there just yet.’

Michael Carrick will take charge of Manchester United permanently next season (Picture: Getty)

City are set to undergo a major summer of transition after Pep Guardiola confirmed his intention to leave the club this summer.

Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is being widely touted as the likely replacement, with the Italian reportedly keen to bring Enzo Fernandez to the Etihad as his first big summer signing.

United, meanwhile, confirmed the permanent appointment of Carrick on Friday after his superb run of form since taking over from Ruben Amorim in January.

No top-flight club has won more points than the 36 United have collected since Carrick’s appointment, and Owen is confident that his former teammate can have the Red Devils contending for the title over a full season next time around.

‘Given how long it’s been since Manchester United challenged for the title, Manchester United can be dark horses,’ Owen, who is UK ambassador for the online casino comparison site Casino.org , added.

‘From finishing bottom half under Amorim last year, Michael Carrick has come in and down an excellent job for Man Utd to finish 3 rd , so there is scope for them to improve further and mount a serious title challenge.’