Former England international Michael Owen has expressed scepticism about Arsenal's chances of securing an unprecedented quadruple this season, despite their impressive campaign across multiple competitions.
Owen's Assessment of Arsenal's Trophy Prospects
In a recent interview with talkSPORT, Owen outlined his belief that while Arsenal are a formidable side, they are unlikely to clinch all four major trophies. He pointed specifically to the FA Cup and Champions League as competitions where the Gunners could face significant obstacles.
Premier League Dominance and Cup Challenges
Arsenal currently sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League table following a commanding 4-0 victory over Leeds United and Manchester City's 2-2 draw with Tottenham. Owen suggested that the league title is nearly secured, stating, "I think the league is nearly wrapped up." He attributed this to a lack of consistent pressure from rivals like Liverpool and Manchester City, who have struggled this season.
However, Owen highlighted the FA Cup and Champions League as potential stumbling blocks. In the FA Cup fourth round, Arsenal are set to host Wigan Athletic, a match that could prove tricky as other teams might field stronger line-ups to salvage their seasons. "All the other teams are going to be focusing on the FA Cup even more now because the league is almost over," Owen remarked.
Champions League Uncertainty
In Europe, Arsenal finished top of their Champions League group and will face one of Borussia Dortmund, Olympiacos, Atalanta, or Bayer Leverkusen in the round of sixteen. Owen described the tournament as wide open this year, noting, "That could be anybody's, that's really open this year." This unpredictability adds to the difficulty of Arsenal's quadruple quest.
Recent Success and Upcoming Finals
Arsenal recently secured their place in the Carabao Cup final with a 1-0 win over Chelsea in the semi-final, advancing 4-2 on aggregate. They will meet either Manchester City or Newcastle United on March 22. Owen acknowledged their strength in this competition, saying, "I think they could win the Carabao Cup, absolutely they could."
Despite his doubts about the quadruple, Owen praised Arsenal's overall performance, calling them "special" and "very efficient." He concluded that while the Premier League seems within their grasp, the dual challenges of the FA Cup and Champions League make a clean sweep unlikely this season.
