Joe Cole tips Arsenal to reach Champions League final in Budapest
Former England midfielder Joe Cole believes Arsenal are destined to reach the Champions League final in Budapest following a favourable knockout stage draw.
The Gunners are the only team to hold a perfect record in this season’s competition having won all eight group matches.
Mikel Arteta’s side have avoided European heavyweights Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich until the potential showpiece event.
‘Book your tickets’
Arsenal have been drawn against Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 and would face either Sporting Lisbon or Bodo/Glimt in the quarter-finals.
With the traditional giants of the competition all placed on the opposite side of the draw, Cole is confident the north London club will go the distance.
“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 told The Dressing Room Podcast.
“I think, personally, it’s going to be an Arsenal versus Manchester City final.”
The former Chelsea player suggested the path to the final in Hungary has been laid out perfectly for the Premier League leaders.
“In summary, the Champions League draw, they’ve opened it up, someone has rolled it across the goal for Arsenal,” he added.
“Arsenal fans, book your tickets for Budapest, in my opinion.”
Quadruple chase
Arteta’s side maintained their pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple by defeating Mansfield Town in the FA Cup on Saturday.
They currently sit top of the Premier League and face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final later this month.
While the club have never won the Champions League, their recent European form includes impressive victories over Bayern Munich and Inter Milan during the group stage.
The Gunners reached the semi-finals last season before being eliminated by eventual winners Paris St-Germain.
