Rio Ferdinand names FOUR groups that will knock Arsenal out of the Champions League and claims Mikel Arteta’s aspect have taken step ‘backwards’ regardless of 7-1 win

Rio Ferdinand has forged doubt on Arsenal’s probabilities of profitable the Champions League, suggesting that Mikel Arteta’s aspect would wrestle towards at the very least 4 different groups.

The Gunners put themselves in a commanding place to succeed in the quarter-finals after a surprising 7-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven, a historic consequence that made them the primary group to attain seven objectives in a Champions League away knockout match. 

Arsenal’s emphatic win got here at an important time, following two underwhelming performances and seeing Liverpool prolong their lead on the prime of the Premier League desk.

Regardless of the dominant show, Ferdinand stays unconvinced about Arsenal’s potential to go all the way in which in Europe. He believes they’re solely the fifth-strongest group of their half of the draw, the place they may face Actual Madrid or Atletico Madrid within the quarter-finals earlier than a possible semi-final towards Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Aston Villa, or Membership Brugge.

‘I feel they’re most likely the fifth-best group within the Champions League on that aspect of the draw, Ferdinand mentioned on his YouTube channel. ‘I am not even speaking about the entire competitors, on that aspect of the draw. 

‘They’re behind Liverpool, Actual Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Arsenal are the fifth-best group on that aspect of the draw. That is mad. 

The Gunners put themselves in a commanding place to succeed in the quarter-finals after a surprising 7-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven

Regardless of the dominant show, Ferdinand stays unconvinced about Arsenal’s potential to go all the way in which in Europe. He believes they’re solely the fifth-strongest group of their half of the draw

‘They’ve gone additional away from the place they had been final yr. They’ve gone backwards, I do imagine that. The recruitment must be shifted a little bit bit. 

‘You may’t have a CDM [Mikel Merino] enjoying up entrance if you’re attempting to win the Premier League and Champions League. They’d a chance in January [to sign a new striker] however there wasn’t hundreds accessible. 

‘I positively would have made a beeline for a centre-forward, 100 per cent. Kai Havertz has carried out an okay job however you want an out-and-out No. 9, absolutely.’ 

Ferdinand, who received the Champions League with Manchester United, mentioned Arsenal’s European prospects alongside TNT Sports activities commentator Darren Fletcher. Fletcher was much more dismissive of Arsenal’s possibilities. 

‘I feel they’re miles off,’ Fletcher mentioned when requested whether or not Arsenal may elevate the trophy. ‘You simply mentioned they’re fifth within the half of the draw they’re in. 

‘You then take a look at Barcelona and Bayern Munich on the opposite aspect of the draw. You may’t win it from there. I feel they’re miles off profitable a Premier League, by no means thoughts the Champions League. I feel they’ve gone backwards. I do not see it.’

Arsenal’s path to the ultimate seems notably difficult, as they share their aspect of the draw with the reigning Champions League winners Actual Madrid, Premier League leaders Liverpool, and French champions PSG. 

In the meantime, the opposite half of the draw options Bundesliga frontrunners Bayern Munich, La Liga leaders Barcelona, and final season’s finalists Inter Milan.