Arsenal legend Thierry Henry predicts his former side will finish the 2016/17 Premier League campaign in fourth place - with Manchester City winning the title.
Arsene Wenger is preparing his Arsenal side for their tough league opener at home to Liverpool on Sunday, which will be made all the more difficult by the Frenchman's lack of defensive options.
Gabriel was yesterday ruled out of action for up to eight weeks with an ankle injury while Per Mertesacker's knee injury means he may not feature until 2017.
That could force Wenger to bring Laurent Koscielny back into his side earlier than expected as Arsenal try and get their season off to a good start in the hope of improving on their second-placed finish from last season this term.
But Henry doesn't believe his former club will be able to go all the way and challenge Pep Guardiola's City side for the title after predicting the Gunners to only snatch the final Champions League spot.
In a Premier League preview piece for Sky Sports, Henry predicted Manchester United to clinch second spot this season, Chelsea to take third and Arsenal to end fourth.
And explaining his predictions, he said: "This is very hard to call. Chelsea don't have any European competition to play, so that will be an advantage for them, but it might take them a little time to gel and adapt to what [Antonio] Conte wants.
"It's the same for [Jose] Mourinho at Man Utd. It's the same at City with Guardiola too - so maybe there is a window for Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham - who have all had stability for longer - to take advantage if they don't gel straight away."
When then asked about his prediction for the title winners, Henry said: "My hope is always Arsenal. That's a massive hope at the moment, but I think it will be between City and United. I have to go for someone so I will say City.
"Guardiola has succeeded straight away wherever he has gone and I know how he's going to ask those guys to play. If they understand what he wants they are going to be successful."
