Gary Neville has tipped Arsenal to finish below Manchester City and even Manchester United in third place, despite the Gunners' big lead at the Premier League summit.
Arsenal maintained their great form with a 2-0 win over north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday to move eight points clear of City, who lost 2-1 to United on Saturday.
That is Arsenal's biggest lead in the competition after the same number of games as the side below them since the final day of the 2003-04 season, when they last won the title.
Man United and Newcastle United are a point further back, meanwhile, with the latter having played a game more than the rest of the top four.
But while many are now backing Arsenal to end their long wait for top-flight glory, United legend Neville is expecting them to finish as low as third.
Asked if Arsenal will win the Premier League, Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast: "No. But I said Leicester City wouldn't win the league...
"I don't think they will win the league. Manchester City will win the league, and I think Man Utd will finish second, and I know that will annoy Arsenal fans.
"I'd rather Arsenal win the league than Man City. I think it would be absolutely sensational for the Premier League.
"I think about watching the Premier League, we've seen City sweep up, apart from Liverpool, over the past five years.
"To think Arsenal could come and win it, it adds to our league, it makes our league great. I'd love Man Utd to win it, but I don't think that's going to happen this season."
Arsenal's return of 47 points after 18 matches is the fourth most of any side at this stage of a Premier League season, having dropped just seven points all campaign.
However, Neville has backed City to string together a run of victories as they so often have – with Arsenal still to play home and away – and win a fifth title in six seasons.
"The reality of it is, I think at some point Man City will hit a run. Once they do, they've got to play Arsenal twice," Neville said.
"At some point, there will be a very difficult period for Arsenal this season. Is it conceivable that Arsenal are going to continue as they are? I don't think it is.
"Could they draw two and lose one in a three-game period, and if they did that, their lead is gone, and the pack is up with them? That's what I think is going to happen.
"We'll see a traditional Premier League season where a team goes out, the pacemaker, and then they'll get drawn back in a little bit.
"But I still think that this season is going to be far better for Arsenal than I ever imagined it would be."
Arsenal are set to face United in their next league outing on Sunday, while City host Tottenham on Thursday and Wolves on Sunday.
Sessegnon rejoins boyhood club Fulham after Tottenham departure
Ryan Sessegnon has resigned for Fulham on a free transfer, five years after leaving the club.
The 24-year-old signed a two-year contract with the Cottagers with the option to extend for a further year following his departure from Tottenham last month.
In his first spell at the club, Sessegnon worked his way through the academy over 11 years, scoring 25 goals in 120 first-team appearances.
He then moved to Spurs in a £25million deal in 2019, though struggled to nail down a place in North London, making just 57 appearances in all competitions, and scoring three goals.
"It's amazing to be back. Emotional, as well," he told FFCtv. "It's where it started for me, where everything began, and it's amazing to be back.
"It will always be home for me. I think it had the feeling that it was meant to be, coming back here, so I'm delighted to get it done."
Sessegnon is Fulham's first signing of the transfer window, though they have seen plenty of first-team departures already, with Joao Palhinha, Tosin Adarabioyo and Bobby De Cordova-Reid all leaving the club.
Ederson slams reports of rift with Man City backup Ortega
Ederson has hit out at reports of a rift between himself and fellow Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
The Brazilian was substituted after suffering a fractured eye socket in City's penultimate game of the Premier League season, a vital 1-0 win over Tottenham.
Ortega replaced him and made a brilliant save to deny Son Heung-min as City maintained their slender lead over Arsenal at the top of the table, sealing an unprecedented fourth straight title by beating West Ham five days later.
Ortega was widely lauded for his role in that triumph, and an article published by The Athletic this week suggested Ederson took issue with that praise.
However, the goalkeeper – who missed the Copa America as a result of his injury – has now moved to shut down those suggestions with a post to his Instagram story.
"I would like to clarify that the note published by The Athletic yesterday, referring to my alleged dissatisfaction with a co-worker, is completely false," he wrote.
"The alleged day reported was, without a doubt, one of the most difficult days of my career, when I suffered a fracture that prevented me from playing in the final stretch of the season and, consequently, from representing my country in the Copa America.
"At the time of the injury, my only thought was to continue in the match, defending City in the fight for the title.
"But the emotion of the match would be greater than the reality and, inevitably, I would not be able to continue as I would have liked due to the damage it caused, completely blocking my field of vision. I remain focused on preparing for the season."
Ederson has been linked with a transfer in recent days, reportedly attracting interest from Saudi Pro League clubs.
Eriksen in 'no rush' to decide Man Utd future
Christian Eriksen says he is in "no rush" to decide his future despite going into the final year of his contract at Manchester United.
Eriksen joined the Red Devils in 2022, making 28 appearances in the Premier League in his first season, though an injury in January 2023 put a halt to his impressive start to life at Old Trafford.
Following Kobbie Mainoo's breakout season last year, Eriksen dropped down the pecking order at United as he made just 12 starts in his 22 league appearances, scoring just once and assisting two goals.
Some reports suggest Eriksen could be heading out on loan to former club Ajax for the final year of his contract, but he insisted he is satisfied in Manchester.
"I am really happy at United," he said. "I have had two very good years and am going into my third.
"It is a special club and a special place. Also, my family is settled in Manchester, so I am in no rush.
"Obviously, I want to play as much as possible and do everything I can. But that is nothing to do with the club - it is up to you and the manager.
"But in terms of how I feel, I feel very good at United."
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