Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen believes that Arsenal could go all the way in the Champions League this season.
Arsenal have never won Europe’s premier continental club competition. The closest they came was losing the 2006 final to Barcelona in Paris.
Mikel Arteta will know that he will make himself a true legend at the north London club if he can lead them to Champions League glory.
Of course, winning the competition will be a mammoth task, especially given so many of the clubs’s players are unfamiliar with the demands of the tournament. This season marks the Gunners’ return to the Champions League after a significant period of absence.
That being said, Arteta’s side is well-stocked with talent, and stranger things have happened in knock out football. They aren’t rank outsiders, that’s for sure.
In fact, Michael Owen believes that Arsenal have good reason to be quietly optimistic about their chances. Speaking on TNT Sports, he said, “I think this Arsenal team on ability, on what they do week-to-week, are one of, if not Manchester City’s biggest challenge in this competition. I think they’re that good.”
Arsenal still have major hurdles to overcome
Owen is not the only pundit to feel positive about Arsenal’s European prospects. However, the 43-year-old recognises that a lack of experience could be their Achilles heel. He said, “the problem is, and as Man City have shown, the very good teams in the league, if it’s your first time in the competition it can take you a long time to understand it, to get past these experienced teams , I think that’s what Arsenal might find this season.”
“On ability I think they’re the second or third best team in it. But can I see them go all the way based on this inexperience…it’s a massive ask, but they’re good enough, ability-wise.”
Arteta will right now just be focused on guiding his side safely out of the group stage. Having won two of their three fixtures so far, the Gunners are well-placed to progress to the next round.
The Spanish coach will be realistic about his side’s chances in the competition this season. However, part of his long-term plan for Arsenal must be to seriously compete for a Champions League crown.
Of course, Arsenal also face the challenge of balancing their Champions League commitments with their Premier League schedule. Squad rotation will be key, and a spate of injuries could derail their progress at any time.
At this stage, it is far too early to say if Arsenal are ready to seriously compete on all fronts yet.
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