Former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti still seems haunted by the thrashing his Madrid side suffered at the hands of Arsenal, home and away, in last season’s Champions League quarter-finals.
And it shows.
Ancelotti’s Champions League favourites
Now in charge of the Brazil national team, Ancelotti recently shared his picks for this season’s Champions League favourites. Speaking to Tuttosport, he said:
“Seen from the other side of the world, the Champions League has the usual favourites: Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich.
“In these first few matchdays, we’ve seen matches with high goals, and such sensational results make us lose interest.
“This first phase has been expanded to make it more interesting, yet it’s not turning out that way. We have to accept that.”
Arsenal deserve to be in the conversation
For most Gooners, the idea that Arsenal are not considered favourites will be baffling. Despite a blistering start to their Champions League campaign, they have been casually overlooked – and that feels unjust.
Arsenal are one of the few sides to have won every group game. They have scored the fourth-most goals and remain among the only teams yet to concede. That is not just good form, it is dominance.
One of English football’s greatest ever coaches, Sir Alex Ferguson, once said: “Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles.”
If there is one thing this Arsenal side excels at, it is defending. With just five goals conceded all season, they have become near-impenetrable – hard to beat, and even harder to break down.
Yet somehow, they are not favourites in Ancelotti’s view.
Don’t sleep on Arsenal
Clubs would be wise not to underestimate Arsenal. The squad Mikel Arteta has assembled is built for glory. Whether it is the Premier League or the Champions League, this team looks destined to lift something significant, if not everything.
And if they do, perhaps Carlo Ancelotti will finally come to terms with that quarter-final humbling.
Your thoughts Gooners?
Daniel O
__________________________________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
Maybe it’s a tad premature to consider ANYONE favourites for any trophy this early in the season. Last season at a time like this,PSG were not the well oiled machine they became in the second half of the season. Nobody considered them favourites at that point.
For now,I’d say CONTENDERS is a more appropriate term. I consider Arsenal one of the contenders,as well as Bayern,PSG,City,Real Madrid,Barcelona and Liverpool. But you never know,other teams could emerge as serious contenders in the future.
For me I couldn’t care less about who this favorite or that favorite is, the proof is who goes on and wins the cup.
Who cares, football is won on the pitch. Not by Super Computer predictions, or having said favorites tag.
Real Madrid we’re strongly fancied last season, and got dismantled by Arsenal.
Being fancied meant absolutely nothing once the game got under way.
As far as I’m concerned, let these teams be favorite, it means nothing in the great scheme of things. 🤦♂️🤷♂️
Correct!!!
Well said DEREK, the supercomputer changes its mind, ‘round by round’ of the CL and ‘week by week’ for the PL. We are contenders, that’s all.
Reggie and GB,
You know it makes sense. 😂👍
Behold, the internationals return safe. With the much anticipated additions of the injury returnees in Havertz Madueke Odegaard Gyokeres Martinelli, it would never be hyperbolic if we dare to liken Arsenal’s relentless explosive attack to A Tsunami. Wow!