Scholes stirs the pot: Arsenal to go back‑to‑back as Liverpool miss top four

The countdown is done, the guesses are in, and the first whistle is almost upon us. Arsenal unfurl the new campaign at the Emirates against newly promoted Coventry on Friday night, and Paul Scholes has climbed aboard the punditry carousel with a set of predictions guaranteed to get group chats humming.

Back-to-back Gunners? Scholes says yes

Scholes, speaking on the Good, the Bad & the Football show, fancies Arsenal to keep their hands on the trophy. The champions, he argues, look the real deal again — helped by the headline summer arrival of Bruno Guimarães and the addition of Christos Tzolis. With momentum behind Mikel Arteta and a squad that’s grown nastier and neater in equal measure, the former Manchester United midfielder reckons they’re the team to beat.

New eras at City, Chelsea and Liverpool

There’s a fresh coat of paint on three powerhouses: Xabi Alonso stepping into the Etihad hot seat, Enzo Maresca tasked with restoring Chelsea’s sheen at Stamford Bridge, and Andoni Iraola charged with energising Anfield. Over in Manchester and north London, Michael Carrick and Roberto De Zerbi start their first full tilts in the dugouts at United and Spurs. It’s a season of grand ideas — and a few bumps while those ideas bed in.

City still second best — unless Chelsea find a keeper

Despite Pep Guardiola’s exit, Scholes has Manchester City as runners-up. He does, however, dangle a tantalising caveat: if Chelsea land a top-class goalkeeper, they could surge into second. He even floated Emi Martínez as the profile to steady the Blues, especially with Juventus stepping away from the chase. It’s a big if, but it moves the needle.

United third — but questions through the spine

Scholes places Manchester United in third, albeit with a raised eyebrow. He wants more steel in the middle and is unconvinced the centre-halves or midfield legs are yet up to scratch. Andrey Santos may tidy things, but he’s not a wrecking ball, and until United add proper bite, Scholes sees their ceiling shy of the very top.

The bold bit: Liverpool down to fifth

Here’s where he really sticks his neck out. After initially flirting with the Reds in fourth, Scholes flips it: Chelsea take fourth and Liverpool slip to fifth, with Spurs rounding out the six. Iraola’s brand of high-energy, high-risk football could thrill, but Scholes suspects there’ll be teething problems before it truly roars.

If you’re weighing up the odds on these shouts, have a look at our best betting sites guide — and don’t ignore the headline: Scholes has Liverpool missing the Champions League spots. That’s a call that’ll split pubs from Anfield to Aldgate.

Top six, in Scholes’ book

1) Arsenal; 2) Manchester City; 3) Manchester United; 4) Chelsea; 5) Liverpool; 6) Tottenham Hotspur.

Relegation ruck: Newcastle in the mire

Down the bottom, he goes even spicier. After last season’s late drama saw Spurs cling on and West Ham tumble, Scholes forecasts a less glamorous scrap — and tips Newcastle to fall through the trapdoor. With Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon all gone, he fears the Magpies’ summer exodus will bite hard. He’s pencilled them in 18th, with Ipswich Town 19th and Hull City 20th — a first Newcastle relegation since 2015/16 if it plays out.

Pundit’s verdict

On paper, it’s a sensible top two and a brave swing at both ends. If Chelsea nab a keeper of Martínez’s calibre, second is in play. If United find proper punch in midfield, they can lean on third — and maybe more. And if Iraola clicks early at Liverpool, fifth will look daft by Christmas. That’s the beauty of opening night: everyone’s right until the ball starts rolling on Friday.