Arsenal likened to Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, tipped as UEFA Champions League 'favourites' by Joe Cole after flawless start - 'Finished article'

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Arsenal have been tipped as the "favourites" to win the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League by TNT Sports expert Joe Cole. The former Chelsea star likened Mikel Arteta's side to the highly-successful squad he was a part of under the guidance of Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge. Joleon Lescott, meanwhile, detailed the key advantage Arsenal have over European rivals Bayern Munich and Manchester City.

'Finished article' Arsenal are UCL favourites - Cole

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Arsenal are now the "completely finished article," and "favourites" to win the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, TNT Sports expert Joe Cole believes.

Mikel Arteta's side are perfect with four wins from four so far in the competition, scoring 11 goals and having yet to concede.

That run includes a highly-impressive 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid, while Arsenal also defeated last year's UEFA Europa League semi-finalists Athletic Club 2-0 in San Mames.

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Despite their flawless start, Arsenal are second in the league phase standings behind Bayern Munich, who they face at Emirates Stadium on November 26 - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

In the Premier League, The Gunners this weekend took another significant step towards ending their 21-year title drought, beating Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 while Manchester City and Liverpool both lost.

Speaking on TNT Sports' The Breakdown about Arsenal's chances at securing a first ever men's Champions League triumph, Cole said Arsenal have no weaknesses, and likened Arteta's side to the Chelsea team he was a part of under Jose Mourinho, which won the Premier League title in 2005/06.

"Arsenal are favourites for that reason, not conceding goals," Cole said. "I do liken them to our Chelsea side.

Defence could be key for 'well-rounded' Arsenal to win UCL - Hargreaves

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"The back four, Gabriel, [William] Saliba, everyone is getting a lot of pats on the back. But I watch how hard the front boys work as well, [Viktor] Gyokeres, [Bukayo] Saka, [Noni] Madueke, [Declan] Rice and [Martin] Zubimendi as well.

"They’re a team. They’ve been put together slowly and surely by Arteta and I make them favourites now, I think they’re the best side in it."

Owen Hargreaves, meanwhile, noted the increased physical stature of Arsenal's squad compared to past years, and feels it allows Arteta's side to implement a multidimensional approach - as evidenced by their staggering set-piece record.

"What I think is remarkable, the size of Arsenal out of nowhere," Hargreaves said. "Before we talked about all the little technicians we played against, [Santi] Cazorla, [Jack] Wilshere.

"All of the sudden this Arsenal team, they’re all big. If they can’t play that perfect football, they can physically mix it."

Highlights: Merino double secures victory for Gunners

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Cole, in response, said: "They look like a team of men, that’s the biggest compliment you’d pay them.

"You can’t rattle them, or see them throwing toys out the pram. Discipline isn’t a problem. All the aspects of maturity you can apply to that Arsenal team.

"I’ve been critical for many years of Arsenal - now what you see is the completely finished article."

Arsenal's advantage over Bayern, Man City

The early Champions League and Premier League standings suggest Bayern Munich and Manchester City will be the closest teams to challenge Arsenal's silverware hopes.

Bayern, level on points with Arsenal in the league phase and City, seven behind Arteta's side in the Premier League table, have one thing in common - a sharpshooter up front.

Erling Haaland (19 goals across all competitions) and Harry Kane (22 goals across all competitions) have been the most prolific strikers in Europe this season, alongside Kylian Mbappe, while Arsenal's goals have been distributed across their squad.

Joleon Lescott feels Arsenal's advantage over Bayern and City comes from their ability to adequately replace players when injured, as shown when Cristhian Mosquera has been required to step into defence, when Madueke replaced the injured Saka, and when Mikel Merino has been required as an emergency striker in Gyokeres' absence.

Highlights: Gyokeres bags brace as Arsenal thump Atletico Madrid

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"Their replacements are so alike," Lescott said. "There were doubts over Noni, Saka gets injured, Noni comes in and shines.

"You’ve got a like for like quality, the styles and profiles are slightly different, but their team isn’t affected.

"If they miss any player, I don’t think it affects them. But if Bayern miss Harry Kane, if City miss Haaland, you’re questioning, are they as fearful?"

Moreover, Lescott feels Arsenal's resolute defensive record lends itself well to the Champions League format.

He pointed to Barcelona's semi-final exit last season as evidence, with Hansi Flick's side free-scoring throughout the tournament, but ultimately undone by their defensive shortcomings.

"When Chelsea won [the Champions League] with a 1-0 [win over City in 2021], it was a tight game, that’s how you win it," Lescott added.

"Barca didn’t win it last year. You can’t make it a shoot-out, you have to be a solid, well-rounded team."

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