Joe Cole, Paul Merson and Gary Lineker all say Arsenal look strong enough to compete, but not quite stacked with the kind of attacking star power that usually decides a Champions League run. Arsenal have won five straight league matches, beat Coventry City, Aston Villa and Chelsea in their opening three games, and still the debate keeps returning to the same place.
Cole backed Real Madrid over Arsenal, saying: "I’ve gone for Real Madrid". He also pointed to the sort of forwards Arsenal are being measured against, saying: "The only problem they need to solve is Kylian Mbappe but they can get him firing and get the team working around him. Vinicius staying was massive for the club as well." That is the standard being held up in this conversation.
Arsenal's domestic case
The domestic argument for Arsenal is already strong. They finished top of the 2025 Premier League table with 85 points and a goal difference of +44, and they reached the Champions League final for only the second time in their history last term. They also lost on penalties to Paris Saint Germain in that final.
Merson accepts the club are in the race, but he does not think the attack has enough to carry them over the line in Europe. "They’re going to be there or thereabouts, I just don’t think they bought that X factor to take them to that level," he said. Lineker made a similar point, saying: "Arsenal will be one of the favourites but I don’t think overall they’ve got quite the superstars that some of the other big guns in Europe have."
The attacking upgrade debate
Jermaine Pennant pushed the left-side issue more directly. He said: "And they've not really replaced that apart from Tzolis. So if he gets injured or whatnot, their left side's kind of doomed. You’ve got to put [Eberechi] Eze out there, he's not a winger, he's a midfielder." He also added: "And this is weird saying, but I think they've actually got weaker. I think Arsenal are weaker, especially going forward anyway, than they were last season. Because they've lost some really clutch individuals."
That criticism sits awkwardly alongside the results, and that is why this debate has not gone away. Arsenal were linked with Vinícius Júnior and Bradley Barcola during the summer transfer window of 2026, and Barcola was informed that his price tag was £123 million ($166m). Vinícius has already produced 1 goal and 2 assists in 3 La Liga appearances, while Barcola has 3 goals in 8 appearances at the World Cup, which shows the sort of level Arsenal were being asked to chase.
The left side is still part of the argument, but the broader point is simpler. Arsenal have the results and the structure, yet the pundit view is that Europe usually asks for one more attacker who can change the tone of a knockout tie. On current evidence, that is the bit Arsenal still have to prove.
FAQ
Why are pundits questioning Arsenal's Champions League chances?
Joe Cole, Paul Merson and Gary Lineker all back Arsenal as a strong side domestically, but they question whether the forward line has enough star power for Europe. Arsenal beat Coventry City, Aston Villa and Chelsea in their opening three games, and they also reached the Champions League final for only the second time in their history last term.
What do Joe Cole and Paul Merson think Arsenal are missing?
Merson says Arsenal do not have the X factor to reach the very top level, while Cole points to the elite forward quality at Real Madrid, including Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. Both arguments land on the same point: Arsenal look strong, but not quite as loaded with match-winning attackers as Europe's best.
How did Arsenal's summer links add to the attack debate?
Arsenal were linked with Vinícius Júnior and Bradley Barcola during the summer transfer window of 2026. Barcola was informed that his price tag was £123 million, which shows the level of attacker Arsenal were being measured against when the left-sided debate came up.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →
