Ancelotti gives out his favourites for Champions League which does not include Arsenal. The current Brazil manager who is also the five-time winner of the Champions League was straight in his evaluation in an interview with Tuttosport. According to Ancelotti, the Champions League, viewed through the prism of the other side of the world, gives his favourites, including the name of Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich. He has especially omitted Arsenal, other giants such as Barcelona and Liverpool.
This perspective highlights a belief that traditional powerhouses, all of whom have previously won the competition, remain the leading contenders.
Arsenalβs Compelling Case
Ancelottiβs underselling comes with Arsenal being a tough task this season. Under Mikel Arteta, the Gunners are taking form:
Perfect Record: They played four games into the Champions League. They have a one hundred percent record, one of only two teams unable to concede a goal.
Historic Form: The team has a streak of ten straight wins in all contests. They has just broken a 122-year-old club record of eight straight clean sheets.
Managerial Prowess: Arteta currently has the highest rate of victory in the champions league as a manager of an English club since 20 or more games (64 percent). This has surpassed the performance of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp at the same stage.
π¨ According to Opta's supercomputer, Arsenal are now the favourites for both the Champions League and the Premier League. π€―π pic.twitter.com/Z9RnlS0o6z
β Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 9, 2025
This sustained excellence, following a semi-final appearance last season, has led many observers to view Arsenal as serious threats for the title.
A Question of Pedigree
The point of difference in the opinions appears to be based on tradition rather than on the present performance. The choices made by Ancelotti are all teams that have won the championship of the champions league in the recent past, whereas Arsenal is trying to win their maiden title in the competition.
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According to @OptaAnalyst, they are the ππππππ¦π§ πππ©π’π₯ππ§ππ¦ to win ππ’π§π the UCL and the Premier League ππ pic.twitter.com/lZReGTGaj8
β 433 (@433) October 22, 2025
To others, this is a deficit of a winning history that can be a cause of doubt. As to whether they can concentrate on the knockout rounds in the highest pressure. Their overwhelming performances and a manager has brought a winning attitude. Arsenal will do anything to translate their potential towards the field of success. Moreover, they will demonstrate to their critics that they are not what they claim.
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