Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has backed the Reds to hold onto prized asset Philippe Coutinho and challenge for the title - after avoiding a stand-off similar to the one between Arsenal and Alexis Sanchez .
Owen says Liverpool have the upper hand as they look to fend Barcelona off Coutinho, after the Brazilian signed a new deal at the start of the year that commits him to Anfield until 2022.
The 37-year-old thinks this will allow the Merseysiders to push for a first league title since 1990, but sees Arsenal missing out on the top four again with the uncertainty surrounding Sanchez's future giving a reason for more unrest at the Emirates.
Owen, who scored 158 goals for the Reds, said: "Liverpool did a amazing bit of business by signing Coutinho to a new contract, especially when you look at Sanchez and Arsenal and the problems it's causing around the club.
"Since Coutinho signed the new contract Liverpool have qualified for the Champions League, bought more quality players and are in a better place than they've been for a long time.
"With Arsenal I'm just not sure about the overall feeling within the club.
"My gut feeling is they could win five straight games, but if they lose the sixth the Wenger out brigade will come out which creates a negative atmosphere and that's probably the main thing going against Arsenal."
The Gunners missed out on Champions League football for the first time in 19 years after finishing fifth last season, and Owen sees the same happening again as he picked Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea to occupy the top four spots at the end of the upcoming campaign.
The former England hotshot thinks Alexandre Lacazette will prove to be a good signing for Arsenal though.
He said: "I like Lacazette, he's a predator who knows where the ball is going to drop in the box.
"I think Olivier Giroud gets some harsh criticism but they needed another top class striker, and Lacazette is a very good buy."
Also losing out on football amongst Europe's elite according to Owen's predictions will be Arsenal's north London neighbours Tottenham, with Mauricio Pochettino's men playing home matches Wembley identified as a problem for last year's runners-up.
Owen added: "Spurs have the equivalent of 19 cup finals, going to Wembley will be great for young players who know they might not get another chance to play there and so everyone will be buzzing to play Tottenham away next season."
Michael Owen is helping McDonald’s celebrate 15 years of its Community Football Programme and its longstanding commitment to inclusivity. For more information on McDonald’s sponsorship of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2017™ visit mcdonalds.co.uk/betterplay