McCoist backs Arsenal for league and cup but doubts European glory

Mikel Arteta was seen gesturing animatedly on the touchline as Ally McCoist gave his verdict on Arsenal’s ambitions. The former striker said the Gunners will win the Premier League and a domestic cup this season, but he remains sceptical about their Champions League prospects.

Strong start tempered by Brighton setback

Arsenal entered the campaign after clinching the Premier League title last season and suffering a narrow defeat in the Champions League final. Strengthening in the summer transfer window, the Gunners rode a superb start, winning their first seven matches across all competitions.

That momentum stalled when they were beaten 3-0 by Brighton ahead of the international break, a result that raised alarm bells about their defensive resilience.

McCoist’s reasoning and the Manchester City factor

Speaking to Bet, McCoist explained that tight victories, such as the controversial penalty win over Sunderland, have been crucial but fragile. He noted that “games like Villa away, where Villa played well but Saka scored and Sunderland away are matches where Arsenal squeeze out results.”

He added that the fine margins against teams like Brighton and Bournemouth make an unbeaten season “extremely difficult”. McCoist also mentioned Manchester City’s financial‑fair‑play case, suggesting a guilty verdict on 114 of 115 charges could ease Arsenal’s title defence.

Despite his doubts about Europe, McCoist praised City’s adaptability, saying they “hit the ground running under their new setup” even after losing Rodri and Bernardo Silva.

In summary, McCoist backs Arsenal to claim the Premier League and a domestic cup, while warning that the Champions League will be a sterner test against the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG.