Carlo Ancelotti is backing Arsenal to finish their long wait for a Premier League title – but believes the Gunners will fall short within the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta’s side have enjoyed an exciting begin to the season in Europe and domestically -still two points clear on the summit of English football despite defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday.
Within the Champions League, they’ve been perfect, winning five games from five having beaten Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich in that run, conceding only once.
Arsenal have never won the most important prize in club football but are among the many favourites to lift the trophy in Budapest in May.
No other manager has won the Champions League greater than Ancelotti, winning the competition twice with AC Milan and 3 times with Real Madrid.
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And the present Brazil boss is backing his old side to deliver on Europe’s biggest stage once more.
Asked by Ally McCoist for TNT Sport who’s thinks will win the Champions League this season, Ancelotti responded: ‘My Real Madrid.’
Focus then turned to the Premier League, where Ancelotti managed Chelsea and Everton.
Arteta’s side have sat top for much of the present campaign but a draw away to Chelsea at the top of November and Saturday’s defeat at Villa Park has allowed Manchester City to shut the gap.
Arsenal have finished runners up the last three seasons and despite their recent slip-up, Ancelotti is backing them to get the job done.
Ancelotti counts a variety of Premier League stars in his Brazil team including Tottenham striker Richarlison and Manchester United midfielder Casemiro and is anticipating all his players to do well this term heading into next summer’s World Cup.
Asked who will win the Premier League, he responded: ‘Arsenal. I’m a fan of the Premier League. But I believe Arsenal began very well, they’re a unbelievable team, a very solid team.
‘And naturally I’m a supporter of Arsenal because I actually have Gabriel but I support Tottenham too because we have now Richarlison, I support United, I support the Brazilian players.’
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