BRAVE MANAGER, BRAVE TEAM’: According to discussions on TNT Sports, the betting odds position Arsenal as the third favorite for winning the UEFA Champions League.
Owen Hargreaves, a pundit for the network, is optimistic about Arsenal’s prospects, suggesting they possess the necessary qualities to triumph in the tournament.
Despite trailing by one goal from the first leg against Porto, Hargreaves and ex-Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand have supported Arsenal’s capability to move on to the quarter-finals and possibly secure victory.
Hargreaves praises Arsenal’s exceptional form, attributing their success to the bold leadership of manager Mikel Arteta and the team’s courage.
He acknowledges that Arsenal’s inexperience showed in their first-leg defeat but maintains a belief in their ability to win the Champions League for the first time.
Arsenal, currently third in the Premier League, only trails the leader by two points, showcasing their domestic solid performance.
Nonetheless, their journey in Europe faces a hurdle as they must overturn a 1-0 deficit in the second leg of their round of 16 encounter with Porto on March 12, which TNT Sports and Discovery+ will air.
Hargreaves sees the late goal conceded against Porto as indicative of Arsenal’s youthful inexperience.
Nevertheless, Ferdinand believes that Arsenal’s advancement would be unwelcome news for all potential opponents, including Manchester City, highlighting Arsenal as a significant threat in the tournament.