Joe Cole Backs Arsenal for Champions League Glory After Favorable Draw
Former Chelsea, West Ham, and England winger Joe Cole has boldly predicted that Arsenal will win this season's UEFA Champions League, telling supporters to "book their tickets" for the final in Budapest. Cole's confidence stems from what he views as a highly favorable knockout stage draw that has "opened up" for Mikel Arteta's side.
Arsenal's Dominant Group Stage Performance
Arsenal enjoyed a perfect group-stage campaign, winning all eight matches while conceding just four goals. This outstanding performance saw them finish top of the league phase with a three-point advantage over six-time European champions Bayern Munich. The Gunners were joined in the knockout rounds by a strong English contingent including Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Newcastle United.
The Favorable Knockout Draw
During Friday's round of 16 draw at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, Arsenal learned they will face Bayer Leverkusen for a place in the quarter-finals. Crucially, European heavyweights Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain all find themselves on the opposite side of the draw.
"Every team that has won it for the last ten years is on one side: Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, so it has opened up for Arsenal," Cole declared on The Dressing Room Podcast. "I think, personally, it's going to be an Arsenal versus Manchester City final. I think it will be an epic."
Clear Path to the Final
Should Arsenal overcome Bayer Leverkusen, they would face either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting in the quarter-finals. Their side of the draw also includes Newcastle, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Tottenham. Cole expressed particular skepticism about Barcelona's chances under manager Hansi Flick.
"Barcelona can't win it, not with that high line. Hansi Flick plays a high line," Cole explained. "He won the Champions League six years ago with Bayern Munich when it was Covid and he played this way of football. But I think football was a little bit... with Covid, there's an asterisk there. I don't think you can do it again with this Barcelona team."
Advantage for PSG Over Chelsea
Cole also analyzed Chelsea's difficult last-16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain, noting that the French champions will enjoy a week off between legs after their Ligue 1 match against Nantes was rescheduled.
"In between the two Chelsea games, PSG have just gone, 'We'll cancel that league game to prepare for it'," Cole observed. "Ligue 1 have helped PSG, they've moved it. It's the equivalent of the Premier League going, 'You know what? Forgot that game!' Chelsea have to play Newcastle at home in between the legs... it's a massive advantage [for PSG]. So I think Chelsea will find it very difficult to beat PSG under those circumstances."
Final Prediction
Cole concluded with a definitive prediction: "Arsenal get to the final. They're going to beat Bayer Leverkusen, they ain't no cop [good], Sporting or Bodo/Glimt... In summary, the Champions League draw, they've opened it up, someone has rolled it across the goal for Arsenal. They cannot blow it... or can they? Arsenal fans, book your tickets for Budapest, in my opinion."
The former England international's comments come as Arsenal continue their pursuit of both Premier League and Champions League success this season, with many debating which trophy would represent greater achievement for Arteta's developing squad.
