Arsenal Snubbed as Pundits Name Champions League Favourites
In a surprising turn of events, football pundits Ally McCoist and Owen Hargreaves have both overlooked Arsenal when selecting their favourites to win this season's Champions League. This comes despite Arsenal's impressive group-stage campaign, where they won all eight matches and conceded only four goals, finishing top of the league phase with a three-point lead over Bayern Munich.
Strong English Contingent in the Competition
The Premier League leaders were part of a robust English presence in the last 16, with Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, and Manchester City also securing top-eight finishes, while Newcastle advanced via the play-offs. In the recent draw, Arsenal were paired with Bayer Leverkusen for the round of 16, with a potential quarter-final clash against Bodo/Glimt or Sporting awaiting if they progress.
Despite this favourable draw, which places European heavyweights like Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and PSG on the other side, McCoist and Hargreaves have not backed the Gunners. McCoist, a former Rangers and Scotland striker, has consistently supported PSG to win the tournament, citing their strength and resilience.
Pundits' Detailed Predictions and Reasoning
On TNT Sports' last-16 preview show, McCoist stated, 'I've said right from the start of the competition, Paris, and I ain't changing!' When questioned about overlooking Arsenal, he added, 'Well they could win it if you ask me who I think will win it... Arsenal could win it, of course they could, but you've asked me who I think will win it.'
Hargreaves, a former England, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United midfielder, also bypassed Arsenal in his predictions, instead favouring Barcelona. He highlighted Barcelona's aggressive style and key players like Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski, noting, 'Barcelona could beat anybody on their day.' He acknowledged Arsenal's advantageous draw but remained firm in his choice.
Analysis of Other Key Matches and Teams
The discussion also touched on other high-profile matches, such as the clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid. Steven Gerrard described it as a 'genuine 50-50 game,' while Hargreaves named City as favourites but cautioned against underestimating Real Madrid's individual talent, including Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe.
This analysis underscores the competitive nature of this year's Champions League, with pundits divided on outcomes despite Arsenal's strong form. Fans and analysts will be watching closely as the tournament progresses, with Arsenal aiming to prove their critics wrong and secure a historic victory.
