Joe Cole has named Arsenal among his five favourites to win the Champions League this season.
The Gunners reached the semi-final stages of the competition last season, losing narrowly to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain.
After a summer of major additions in every outfield position, Mikel Arteta’s side began the new campaign with a 2-0 win away to Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid also picked up opening week wins over Newcastle, Chelsea and Marseille respectively with Liverpool scoring a last-minute winner to see of Atletico Madrid at Anfield.
Defending champions PSG meanwhile swept aside Atalanta.
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Assessing this season’s favourites, former Chelsea star Cole places Barcelona, Real and PSG in his ‘top bracket’, also naming Arsenal, Liverpool and Bayern as the sides who can go all the way this term.
Barcelona are better than Bayern Munich,’ Cole told TNT Sports.
‘Bayern Munich have got quality, I don’t think they have got the depth Barcelona have got.
‘I think Bayern Munich are just in that second bracket behind PSG, Real Madrid, this Barcelona, and maybe Arsenal and Liverpool.’
Manchester City meanwhile got their European campaign up and running with a 2-0 win over Italian champions Napoli.
While the win came four days after a derby victory over Manchester United, Pep Guardiola’s side have been far from convincing having lost two of their opening Premier League games, crashing out of Europe at their earliest stage in 12 years last season.
While believing another European push is unlikely this season, Cole believes Guardiola has rediscovered a ‘spark’ in City.
‘I think how bad Manchester City have been at times over the last 12 months has probably sparked him [Guardiola],’ Cole said
‘I think it’s freshened him up, the challenge is there now, can you get this team back up to the top? I think he can, maybe not this year but certainly in the next few years.’
Former Premier League star Shay Given meanwhile believes Chelsea’s frailties at the back could ultimately cost them: ‘Well people from Chelsea will say they’re world champions so they must have a chance, they beat PSG in the final.
‘They’ve got a chance, Cole Palmer again this week showed the class he has, he’s a fantastic player, I like Joao Pedro a lot as well so I definitely think there’s goals in the team.
‘But can they tighten up at the back, that’s the only question.’
