Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole claims that Arsenal do have the squad to win the Champions League this season.
Speaking to talkSPORT, the pundit admits that he did have doubts about manager Mikel Arteta during the early stages of his reign at the Emirates, but he now believes the Gunners can do anything under his management:
“They certainly can win the Champions League. Earlier when Arteta was in the early stages of his reign he was talking about ‘the project, the project’, I was thinking ‘what’s going on here’?”
“But he’s made every right decision at every corner. I think they’re a young team, they’re fearless, Declan [Rice] going in has taken them up another level.”
Arsenal have started off their European campaign impressively
They face Lens on Tuesday night, which should be a sterner test of their credentials. However, the French club have struggled to replicate their outstanding form from last season, and they currently sit 17th in Ligue 1, so the away side will fancy their chances.
The Gunners are third favourites at the bookmakers
In terms of Arsenal‘s prospects of winning the competition for the first time in their history, the bookies are not ruling it out.
Most have Arteta’s men as joint third favourites alongside Real Madrid, with current holders Manchester City and Bayern Munich the only teams who are believed to be more likely to lift the trophy.
The other English clubs, Manchester United and Newcastle, have very long odds, so it appears that Cole is not the only one who thinks that the Gunners can go all the way. It will be a tough ask but there is certainly enough talent in this squad to make it happen.
