Rio Ferdinand has tipped Arsenal to finish third in the Premier League this season.
The Gunners have spent more than £200 million on transfers so far this summer and are looking to go one better after finishing second last term.
However, Ferdinand does not see them pipping Manchester City to the title, insisting they will finish behind the reigning champions and Manchester United at the end of the season.
The former Red Devils defender believes Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard will emerge as the Premier League’s Player of the Season.
The 24-year-old midfielder, who earns £115,000 per week, emerged as the Gunners’ Player of the Year last term, but Ferdinand reckons he has what it takes to become the best in the division this term.
Man City striker Erling Braut Haaland won the award last term after bagging 36 league goals in his debut campaign in the Premier League.
The last four Player of the Season winners are all from Man City, with Kevin De Bruyne winning it twice, while Ruben Dias won it in 2021-22.
The last Arsenal player to win the prize was Thierry Henry, picking it up for the second time in his illustrious career in 2005-06.
Patrick Vieira and Freddie Ljungberg are the two other players from the North London club to have picked up the award, and Odegaard needs to have an outstanding campaign individually and at club level to have a chance of getting it.
The Arsenal skipper would rather win the Premier League title than pick up an individual award as the Premier League’s Player of the Season.
The Gunners last won the title in 2004 and Odegaard and co are still blaming themselves for ending last term on a disappointing note having led the way for the majority of the campaign.
Arsenal started the 2023-24 campaign with a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday and will look to pick up all three points when they face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday.
