Sol Campbell has tipped former club Arsenal to win the Premier League title this season.
The Gunners finished the last campaign in third place in the table, 12 points behind champions Chelsea.
Arsene Wenger's side have struggled for form during the early part of the season in recent years, but Campbell believes that they will lift the trophy for the first time since 2004 if they can "get out of the blocks quickly".
"I think it's going to be Arsenal's year," the ex-England international told ESPN. "For the second part of last season their form was fantastic and I think they will take this into the new season.
"Arsenal are usually slow starters and do not fire into life until December. I believe they now realise that they can't afford to do this anymore and have to get out of the blocks quickly.
"Arsenal have a strong, balanced side, there's a great team spirit, which is very important and Arsene has at last, got the formula right. He's also made one of the most important signings of any of the top four clubs this summer. [Petr Cech] is a fantastic addition to the team and is exactly what Arsenal needed."
Arsenal start the new Premier League campaign on August 9 at home to West Ham United.
Jack Prescott
