In the past few seasons the English premier league number of teams that have earned that first position hasn't changed much, it's been Manchester city all the way, else it will be Liverpool,  in fact Pep Guardiola had to even won the EPL more time in the last five years.
Though i will likely agree with you with the second position, it's looking the position of a first runner up is permanently looking like a crown meant for the Gunners. That's is why i Respec the fight Liverpool has putting against Manchester city over this year's, if not the premier League would have been turned to a private estate owned by Pep Guardiola.