Alan Shearer admitted that Arsenal have the best chance of winning this season's UEFA Champions League but backed Paris Saint-Germain to defend their title.
Alan Shearer backs PSG to beat Arsenal in UCL final
Arsenal sit at the top of the league phase table and extended their lead to six points after defeating Inter Milan 3-1 on Tuesday. The Gunners have enjoyed a great season so far and looked poised to challenge for every possible trophy.
While Mikel Arteta's side are among the favorites to win the trophy for a second consecutive time after their remarkable run in the 2024-25 season.
“There is no doubt that this mob tonight, Arsenal, have got a really good chance of being there,” Shearer said on Amazon Prime’s Champions League coverage before the Gunners’ win in Italy. “But I just think because of what PSG did last year and the players that they have, I’m just going to edge it with PSG. But Arsenal won’t be far away.”
When enquired who he considers PSG beating in the final, the former Newcastle United forward said:
“Probably Arsenal. I don’t think so [that it would be a 5-0 scoreline again if PSG did face Arsenal in the final]. I think with the confidence and the belief that Arsenal have. And you’ve seen with the turnover of players in terms of the squad that he can leave on the bench and they still look a very, very strong team and a team capable of coming and winning here [at Inter] tonight. That will certainly help them in the months ahead, so, yeah, PSG and Arsenal [as favourites].”
Interestingly, the Gunners and PSG met in the semi-finals of the last edition, with the Ligue 1 giants progressing after securing a 3-1 aggregate win across two legs.
Alan Shearer supports Manchester City to win the Premier League
In addition to leading the Champions League table, Arsenal also have a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League standings.
While Manchester City have fumbled of late, Shearer supported them to give Arteta's side a run for their money in the title race but predicted the north London side to win the trophy at the end of the season.
“I think Manchester City will push Arsenal all the way,” he said. “Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi are very good signings. We’ve already seen Semenyo have an impact albeit not so much at the weekend.
“Their problems are certainly defensively. They definitely needed somebody to help them out in the centre-back position and Guehi is a very good addition. They will push them because of their experience, but I’m not sure they’ll have enough, and Arsenal will take it.”
The Gunners also missed the chance to extend their lead to nine points following being held to a goalless draw by Nottingham Forest last Saturday. Second placed Manchester City had earlier lost 2-0 derby rivals Manchester United.