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With Declan Rice joining Arsenal for in excess of £100m this summer, Liverpool legend and Paddy’s pal Phil Thompson thinks The Gunners are well and truly above his beloved Reds in the Premier League pecking order.
Arsenal finished second behind Manchester City in the league last term despite topping the table for much of the season.
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Liverpool scrambled to pick up 5th spot with some strong end-of-season form, but they were languishing a lot lower than that until the final throws of the campaign.
And, despite the Reds strengthening, Thommo told Paddy Power News that Arsenal were clearly above them as second favourites for the Premier League crown following Rice’s arrival. Take it away, Thommo.
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Rice will help Arsenal get closer to Manchester City. They did have injuries last year and everybody said those injuries would hurt because they’ve got a good first XI but they’ve not got quality in depth.
They’ve splashed the cash and they’ve backed Mikel Arteta with Rice and Kai Havertz, who’s come in from Chelsea. I think they will push City who will, again, be the team to beat.
Liverpool will be better this season and I would have us as second favourites. Assuming the Rice deal goes through I think that could push Liverpool down to third favourites. Kai Havertz never really did it at Chelsea, did he?
Can he reignite his career at Arsenal?
Sometimes you need to move to a different club. But, will he play? They’ve got Gabriel Jesus who was electrifying up front for Arsenal last season. It’s going to be interesting to see where Havertz fits in. Rice is a nailed-on starter.
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