Soccer
Michael Owen can't see a standout team ahead of new Premier League campaign
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It's not even been 24 hours since the end of the World Cup, but in the non-stop world of football, thoughts immediately turn to domestic issues.
We may have all been caught in a tournament bubble for the past six weeks, but we're not just over a month away from a new Premier League season.
And while most have been taking in all the sights and sounds of happenings in North America, England's top clubs have been busy preparing for 2026-27.
Arsenal will be the team to beat as they get set to defend their championship crown, but Michael Owen believes that the Gunners may already benefit from a lack of challenge from their title rivals.
The man who lifted the famous trophy whilst at Manchester United spoke exclusively to DAZN News, thanks to Kasinohai, and he can't see any Premier League team matching Mikel Arteta's men ahead of the forthcoming campaign.
"I don't think the Premier League has got an absolute standout team at the moment," Owen said.
"Arsenal won the league, of course, but they won it with mid-80 points. It's not like a few years ago where Manchester City and Liverpool are getting 99 points and still not winning.Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
"I think there's a lot of teams that can be looking at this season ahead thinking, do you know what, if we get it right, we can be competitive.
"Arsenal are very, very solid yardstick, but they're not unbeatable. And there's question marks about virtually every other team. Man United are flying along well, but now they've got the Champions League.
"You know, that's a big question mark. Liverpool have had an awful season last season, can they bounce back? Chelsea have had an awful season, can they find something under a new manager?
"Man City has no Pep Guardiola, quite a change in players. There's no team apart from Arsenal that are a solid yardstick, I don't think.
"So, it could be any one of those teams that I've mentioned that rise and have a great season. And if they do, then they can be really competitive."
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