Arsenal have no chance of qualifying for the Champions League this season, club hero Paul Merson reckons. The former striker admits he can’t see Arsenal – or any of the other top four candidates like Tottenham, Leicester and Wolves – come close to the quartet of Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United.
Arsenal kicked off the 2020-21 Premier League season at Craven Cottage against newly promoted Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
They found themselves 1-0 in 10 minutes thanks to Alexandre Lacazette before Gabriel Magalhaes doubled in the second half.
Newcomer Willian then made his third assist of the match when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a third.
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And on the eve of the campaign, Arsenal managing director Vinai Venkatesham made it clear what manager Mikel Arteta’s goal is with this term.
“We want to return to the Champions League,” he said. “It’s important economically, it’s important for the fans, it’s important for the players, the staff and everyone.
“We have to re-establish ourselves there. Yes, we are talking about the fact that we have been in Europe for 25 consecutive years and this is a result. But we want to enter the maximum competition “.
But Merson, who spent 12 years in Arsenal’s first team and made over 400 first-team appearances, doesn’t think a top four is likely for the North London club, at least not this year.
Although Arteta led Arsenal to FA Cup glory last season and won over Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea in July and August, Merson thinks Chelsea and United will be too good for the Gunners in 38 games.
Asked what Arsenal’s chances are in the Champions League this season, Merson said: “Probably none to be honest. I don’t give them any chance.
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“I think they will be better off last season, 25 years since they were last so bad.
“I see they are more competitive, I like what Arteta is doing. But to get in the top four, it will be a big question.
“I can’t see past Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United. I don’t see anyone getting close to them.
“For Arsenal, they will be better and more competitive and I think it’s a progression, they just have to keep going constantly.
“But with Arteta there I think they will and in time to come Arsenal will be back somewhere close to where they were.”
Arteta said in his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip through London to face Fulham: “Each new season brings new expectations.
“The way we ended last season and started this one with a title obviously people want to see more and more. That’s a positive sign, we want that kind of energy to move our team forward.
“Obviously, it’s my first job as a coach and a lot of things have happened, interruptions, unexpected things. But overall we have been very consistent on what we are trying to achieve.
“We felt really supported, with each other. Many changes in the club, many changes with the environment, but our vision and direction will not change.
“We are aiming to achieve this and have created a belief that is really important among the players, the staff and the fans.
“Now our goal is to keep doing it, keep building and keep engaging in this process to get better and better.”
Arteta also admitted he was impressed by the aspirations of the new kid Willian, who started on the right wing in Fulham and when he first moved to the UAE he said he wanted to win the Champions League over the course of his three-year contract.
The Spaniard said: “With all the conversations I’ve had with him, the thing that stands out is his ambition to want to be the man who can carry this team forward.
“Another thing with him is that he is always available. Last season at Chelsea, you can see the amount of games he played.
“I’m not worried at all. We need some balance in this squad. We have some really young talents.
“We need some experienced players who can just put on the jersey and start playing. If he is able to perform at that level for another three years, I think he has a great chance of achieving it, but time will tell.”
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