By Chris O'Brien
August 2 2004

Manchester United skipper Roy Keane believes that Arsenal are still the team to beat despite Chelsea having enjoyed another summer of mass spending on the transfer market. Could this be mind games from the Irishman ahead of the Premiership curtain raiser on August 14th? Manchester United skipper Roy Keane believes that Premiership Champions Arsenal will be the Red Devils’ main competition for the league title next season despite Chelsea enjoying another summer of spending on the transfer market.

Arsenal went unbeaten throughout the league campaign last term, and are most bookmakers’ favorites to life back-to-back championships. However, Roman Abramovich has been busy with his chequebook yet again and has already splashed out nearly £60million on new signings, in addition to the £150million sent by the Stamford Bridge club last term.

New boss Jose Mourinho’s no nonsense management style on top of the acquisitions of Mateja Kezman, Didier Drogba, and Tiago, among other big names, has left Chelsea desperate to life their first league crown for 50 years.

"Arsenal are still the team to beat," said Keane. "They have proved over the past year that they are the best team.

"They are up there to be shot at now and we will give it a good go."

United will get an early taste of what the new-look Chelsea side are capable of with the Red Devils visiting London to face the Blues on the opening day of the Premiership season. Before United visit Stamford Bridge they have the Vodafone Cup to negotiate, the Community Shield final against fellow championship contenders Arsenal and a vital European Cup qualifier, likely to be against Dinamo Bucharest.