Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood has backed Arsenal to win the Europa League under Mikel Arteta this season, as he told Premier League Productions (03/10/22 at 2:45 pm).
The one-time Premier League winner added that ‘Arsenal have got players’ and a coach in Arteta who knows what he is doing, despite the one-time FA Cup winner going through difficult patches during his time in the Emirates dugout.
On the domestic stage this season, it’s all rosy in the garden for the north London club because they are sitting at the top of the table, after being bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend.
Even though Manchester City, as per usual, are running rampant with their record-breaking goalscoring freak, Erling Haaland at the forefront, it’s the Gunners who are keeping them in second place.
Despite that, Sherwood still feels, overall, the current champions of England, led by the dominant Pep Guardiola, are still the best in the land.
Although he explained why he feels, in the Premier League, Arsenal are second-best, as he backed them to secure Europa League glory.
“Arsenal have got players,” said Sherwood. “They have got a manager who knows. They all know the formation, and not only that, do you think they (Jesus and Zinchenko) have gone to Arsenal to finish in the top four?
“They have gone with that winning belief and they are trying to spread it around the dressing room.
“Eight games in and we are talking about them being title challengers to Manchester City. It shows you how far they have come. He has done a great job. He had his ups and down, people shouted for his head and he won a trophy, which gave him a little bit of time.
“I think they win the Europa League as well, it’s the easier one to win. I see them as the second-best team (in the Premier League), at the moment. Have they got the strength in depth or the experience? We will wait and see.”
CAN ARSENAL WIN THE EUROPA LEAGUE?
Arsenal have only played one game in this season’s competition, beating FC Zurich in Switzerland.
They face off against Norwegian high-risers Bodø/Glimt on Thursday night, who are managed by one of Europe’s rising coaches in Kjetil Knutsen.
But Arsenal should see through this group with ease, with Ruud van Nistelrooy’s PSV their only threat.
Previously, the Gunners have reached the semi-finals – in Arteta’s first full season – and the finals – under Unai Emery – so, they have shown that they can get in touching distance, it’s now a case of crossing that all-important line.
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