Man City title winner backs Arsenal to become champions again in telling admission

Former Manchester City and England star Joleon Lescott doesn't expect his former club to reel in Arsenal in this season's title race. The Gunners were run close by City last season but ended the campaign seven points clear after their rivals fell away in May.

An injury to William Saliba has brought questions about the holders' hopes of retaining their title, while Elliot Anderson's move to the Etihad Stadium ought to strengthen the chasers. The departure of legendary manager Pep Guardiola also brings uncertainty in the blue half of Manchester, though, prompting Lescott to tip Arsenal to go back-to-back.

"It is very early [to make predictions], but you would say Arsenal," Lescott exclusively told Mirror Football at TNT Sports' 'Levels' Trophy Cabinet pop-up in London. "Considering the key factors, they probably have fewer obstacles ahead of them.

"[Mikel] Arteta has continuity with the players and the squad now has genuine belief, so I would say Arsenal. I know how difficult it is to win back-to-back titles, so that is my overriding opinion."

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Guardiola spent a decade in Manchester, so he will naturally have big shoes to fill. Enzo Maresca can at least point to his knowledge of the City Football Group set-up, having previously led an Under-21 squad including Cole Palmer and James Trafford to Premier League 2 glory.

Maresca will show what he can do in this weekend's Community Shield and Lescott believes the appointment makes a lot of sense. "There were obviously names being speculated about but in terms of the fit, he knows the club, he knows a lot of the players," he said.

"There was always going to be some form of transition when Pep left but there are probably less factors to go wrong with Enzo, so it made sense to me. Having relationships with the club, understanding how they work, and having a connection with the players, which is very important nowadays, so it was the right appointment."

City haven't just lost their manager, either. England centre-back John Stones has departed for Inter Milan and Lescott - who won the league with the club in 2012 and 2014 - is excited to see his fellow ex-Everton man try his luck abroad.

"He's earned the right to make that decision," Lescott said. "Obviously [he has been] a great servant for Man City and the Premier League. Huge talent, probably under-appreciated in the wider range of football.

"Some of his performances transcended how centre-backs play. He created a unique style that was probably only unique to him. Not a lot of other centre-halves could emulate the sort of stuff he was doing. So nothing but admiration and praise for John Stones."

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