It’s perhaps not the focus of Mikel Arteta to win Europe’s elite competition this season. The Arsenal gaffer fell just short of the Premier League title last term and progress for him in the club will almost certainly be to wrestle the hands of Manchester City away from that. But it feels like silverware is a must, and wouldn’t the side’s first European Cup be just as big of an honour?
Arteta will certainly be gunning for trophies this season and the way they have started the season, there’s huge promise in achieving that. The question does remain on what success looks like this season though.
Plenty of fans are gambling with the bookmakers on them finishing top four, or lifting the FA Cup, but it’s sort of more like looking at slot games, where the club will definitely enjoy wins along the way this season, such as that Manchester City win already, but what exactly is enough, and how big is the jackpot?
The argument could be that the Champions League is a more realistic, yet more prestigious competition to win. Arsenal have 13 top flight titles to their name, albeit none in 20 years, but there is no major European honour there. Winning the Champions League would etch Arteta and this Arsenal side’s name into the history books far more than a 14th Premier League winners’ medal would.
But can they win it?
The bookies are certainly giving the Gunners a chance. Many are pricing Arsenal as fourth favourites at around 17/2, ahead of sides like Barcelona, Inter and Paris Saint-Germain. That’s a far cry from what would have been the case even this time last season, had the side been in the competition.
The Group Stage is navigable for Arsenal, and they currently sit second in it, after defeat to Lens.
That defeat may be a bit of a wake-up call. Thierry Henry certainly believes so, and believes that conquering Europe could be too early for them. Speaking on CBS Sports, he said:
“As a fan, I want them to win it. As a fan, I wish we could win it. But the depth, playing the league, playing all the competitions that you have to play in England… it might be too much.”
That said, he didn’t rule it out either, claiming: “If you said to me, also, although I was playing for Arsenal, with that team we went to the final in 2006 I would’ve said no, the way the season was going, but we went. So you’ve got to believe”
That underdog mentality could allow the Gunners to quietly go about their business. They’ve looked in good condition so far this season, beating Manchester City and Manchester United and securing a draw against a new-look Spurs side. They’re not shying away from the big games, which could prove crucial.
Where it gets more difficult, is the introduction of two legs. Can they beat Manchester City, for example, across a two-legged game? There’s perhaps a belief in the squad and among fans that they can.
It’s an exciting time to be an Arsenal fan. Across 38 games in the Premier League and going head-to-head with a squad that is deeper, more experienced and has better quality. That’s a hugely tough ask. But across 11 more games, in one off games against quality, then there’s perhaps a better chance, particularly with the way Arteta sets his teams up for games.
Can they win the Champions League? The jury is out, but certainly don’t write them off…
