A compelling narrative regarding Arsenal’s standing in the UEFA Champions League has emerged, following recent commentary from a highly respected figure in global football management. Despite an unequivocally dominant start to their continental campaign, the North London club has found itself conspicuously absent from a list of teams widely considered front-runners for the prestigious European trophy. This omission has sparked considerable discussion among football analysts and the club’s fervent supporters, prompting a re-evaluation of how Arsenal is perceived on the grandest European stage.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Champions League Favourites Announced
Former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, currently at the helm of the Brazil national team, shared his projections for the current season’s Champions League favourites in an interview with *Tuttosport* on 1 November 2025. Ancelotti articulated his perspective, stating, “Seen from the other side of the world, the Champions League has the usual favourites: Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich.” He further commented on the evolving format and intensity of the competition’s initial stages, adding, “In these first few matchdays, we’ve seen matches with high goals, and such sensational results make us lose interest. This first phase has been expanded to make it more interesting, yet it’s not turning out that way. We have to accept that.”
Ancelotti’s comments arrive following a historical context involving Arsenal and Real Madrid. Last season, the club from North London delivered a significant performance against Ancelotti’s former team, Real Madrid, in the Champions League quarter-finals. Arsenal secured victories both at home and away, inflicting a comprehensive defeat upon the Spanish giants. This past result, where Real Madrid suffered a distinct thrashing across two legs, suggests a competitive capability that many believe should warrant Arsenal’s inclusion in any discussion about elite European contenders.
Arsenal’s Undeniable Champions League Dominance
The perception of Arsenal’s current Champions League campaign among many fans, known as Gooners, contradicts Ancelotti’s assessment. Many observers find the idea of Arsenal not being among the favoured teams perplexing. The club has displayed a blistering start to their Champions League journey, which includes winning every single group game. This perfect record in the group stage underscores their formidable presence in the competition. Beyond their consistent victories, Arsenal has also demonstrated exceptional offensive and defensive capabilities, scoring the fourth-most goals across the entire tournament.
Crucially, Arsenal’s defensive performance has been equally outstanding. They stand as one of the few remaining teams in the competition that have yet to concede a single goal. This statistical dominance in both attack and defence highlights a comprehensive strength that goes beyond mere good form, demonstrating a sustained level of performance that typically defines serious title aspirants. The club’s capacity to both score freely and maintain an impenetrable backline establishes them as a formidable opponent for any club in Europe.
This defensive fortitude aligns with a long-held footballing adage. Sir Alex Ferguson, widely recognized as one of English football’s greatest ever coaches, famously declared, “Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles.” This maxim appears particularly pertinent when examining the current Arsenal squad under Mikel Arteta. The team has exhibited an extraordinary defensive record across all competitions this season, conceding only five goals in total. Such a robust defensive foundation renders them exceptionally difficult to defeat and even harder to dismantle, making their exclusion from the list of Champions League favourites a subject of considerable debate.
The Arsenal Project Under Mikel Arteta
The squad meticulously assembled by manager Mikel Arteta is widely considered to be built for significant success. The current performances indicate a team poised to contend for major honours, whether in the domestic Premier League or the prestigious Champions League. The collective strength and strategic approach employed by Arsenal suggest they are capable of lifting significant silverware in the near future, if not multiple trophies. This ongoing project, characterized by tactical discipline, individual brilliance, and collective cohesion, has instilled confidence within the club’s fanbase and among neutral observers regarding their potential to achieve glory. If Arsenal continues this trajectory of dominant performances and secures a major title, the prevailing opinions regarding their status as a European elite might experience a re-evaluation, potentially altering the perspectives of prominent figures like Carlo Ancelotti concerning their competitive prowess following last season’s quarter-final encounters.