Rio Ferdinand has questioned the chances of Arsenal to win the Champions League, suggesting that Mikel Arteta’s team would have trouble against at least four other teams.
The Gunners were placed in a dominant position to reach the quarter-finals after an astonishing 7-1 victory against PSV Eindhoven, a historic result that made them the first team to score seven goals in a direct elimination match of the Champions League.
Arsenal’s emphatic victory occurred at a crucial time, after two disappointing performances and seeing Liverpool extend their advance at the top of the Premier League table.
Despite the dominant display, Ferdinand is not convinced of Arsenal’s ability to go to the end in Europe. He believes that they are only the fifth highest team of their half of the draw, where they could face Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the quarter-final before a potential semi-final against Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Aston Villa or Club Brugge.
“I think they are probably the fifth best team in the Champions League on this side of the draw,” said Ferdinand on his YouTube channel. “I’m not even talking about the whole competition, on this side of the draw.
“They are behind Liverpool, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Arsenal is the fifth best team on this side of the draw. It’s crazy.
Rio Ferdinand questioned the chances of Arsenal to win the Champions League
The Gunners put themselves in a dominant position to reach the quarter-finals after a superb 7-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven
Despite the dominant display, Ferdinand is not convinced of Arsenal’s ability to go to the end in Europe. He believes that they are only the fifth largest team of their half of the draw
“They went further from where they were last year. They came back, I believe it. Recruitment must be a little moved.
“You cannot have a CDM (Mikel Merino) in advance when you try to win the Premier League and the Champions League. They had the opportunity in January (to sign a new striker) but there were no charges available.
“I would have definitely drone for a center-forward, 100%. Kai Havertz has done a good job, but you need a n ° 9 of the OUT and the exit, surely.
Ferdinand, who won the Champions League with Manchester United, discussed the European Arsenal prospects alongside the TNT Darren sports commentator. Fletcher was even more disdainful of the chances of Arsenal.
“I think they are miles,” said Fletcher when asked if Arsenal could lift the trophy. “You just said they are fifth in the half of the draw in which they are.
“You then look at Barcelona and Bayern Munich on the other side of the draw. You can’t win it from there. I think they are miles by winning a Premier League, regardless of the Champions League. I think they came back. I don’t see it.
Arsenal’s journey to the final seems particularly difficult, because they share their side of the draw with the defending champions league, Real Madrid, leaders of the Premier League Liverpool and the French PSG champions.
Meanwhile, the other half of the print includes precursors from Bundesliga Bayern Munich, the leaders of Liga Barcelona and last season’s finalists in Inter Milan.