The former Harambee Stars captain, who joined Spurs in 2021 from Southampton and reached the 2019 UEFA Champions League final with the side before signing for MLS club CF Montreal in March 2020, has predicted Arsenal to finish third.
Last season, Tottenham survived relegation from the top flight on the final day after defeating Everton 1-0.
The victory ensured Spurs finished two points clear of the drop zone, sending West Ham down to the Championship alongside the other relegated sides.
Tottenham now hope to have a good campaign under Roberto De Zerbi, who took over in late March following difficult stints by Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, and helped the side to keep their league status.
During his time with Brighton, De Zerbi guided the team to a sixth-place finish, their highest ever in the Premier League. The position secured qualification for the UEFA Europa League, marking the first time the club reached European competition.
Wanyama, whose equaliser for Spurs in a 2–2 draw against Liverpool in 2018 was voted the Premier League Goal of the Month, believes the team’s new signings coupled with the experience of coach De Zerbi will guide Spurs to the league title.
“Tottenham Hotspur will be first because they had a rough season last year, and now they know what it takes,” predicted Wanyama as quoted by Pulse Sports.
“Now, they are hungrier, and they have signed more players, and they have a new manager. He is a really good manager and has a good reputation in the English Premier League and he will be looking forward to winning it.”
Tottenham’s new signings include Sandro Tonali from Newcastle, Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton, and fellow defenders Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson.
However, they have lost four players this transfer window: Cristian Romero to Atletico Madrid, Djed Spence to Inter Milan, Guglielmo Vicario to Juventus (on an initial loan with an option to buy) and Luka Vuskovic to Brighton.
Man City to beat Arsenal to second
According to Wanyama, despite losing the Community Shield test 3-0 against Arsenal, Manchester City will finish the season in second position.
City, without Pep Guardiola, kicked off their season with a poor show against the firing Gunners, but Wanyama believes new coach Enzo Maresca will turn things around and help the Citizens to finish second.
“Number two, it’s going to be Man City; I think they will retain their place because they have a new coach,” added Wanyama, who earned 64 caps for Kenya before quitting international football.
“Pep has left, so they will be looking to gel as a team again and find their system of play and their identity under their new coach.”
Four days ago, the Opta Supercomputer named Arsenal as favourites to win the Premier League this season, with a 38% chance. City were given second spot with a 20.5% chance, Liverpool third on 9.2%, and Manchester United fourth on 6.2%.
“Number three, I think it will be Arsenal because last season was a two-horse race between Arsenal and Man City, and they were both struggling, and they were just the two up there,” added Wanyama.
“For this season, it’s going to be tougher for them.”
Arsenal’s new signings include midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle, winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge and goalkeeper Illan Meslier from Leeds. Additionally, defender Piero Hincapie completed a permanent transfer following his previous loan from Bayer Leverkusen.
Last season, Arsenal won the league after amassing 26 wins, seven draws and five defeats.
