Carlo Ancelotti is backing Arsenal to end their long wait for a Premier League title – but believes the Gunners will fall short in the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta’s side have enjoyed a thrilling start to the season in Europe and domestically -still two points clear at the summit of English football despite defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday.
In the Champions League, they have been perfect, winning five games from five having beaten Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich in that run, conceding just once.
Arsenal have never won the biggest prize in club football but are among the favourites to lift the trophy in Budapest in May.
No other manager has won the Champions League more than Ancelotti, winning the competition twice with AC Milan and three times with Real Madrid.
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And the current Brazil boss is backing his old side to deliver on Europe’s biggest stage once again.
Asked by Ally McCoist for TNT Sport who is thinks will win the Champions League this season, Ancelotti responded: ‘My Real Madrid.’
Focus then turned to the Premier League, where Ancelotti managed Chelsea and Everton.
Arteta’s side have sat top for much of the current campaign but a draw away to Chelsea at the end of November and Saturday’s defeat at Villa Park has allowed Manchester City to close the gap.
Arsenal have finished runners up the last three seasons and despite their recent slip-up, Ancelotti is backing them to get the job done.
Ancelotti counts a number of Premier League stars in his Brazil team including Tottenham striker Richarlison and Manchester United midfielder Casemiro and is eager for all his players to do well this term heading into next summer’s World Cup.
Asked who will win the Premier League, he responded: ‘Arsenal. I am a fan of the Premier League. But I think Arsenal started really well, they are a fantastic team, a really solid team.
‘And of course I am a supporter of Arsenal because I have Gabriel but I support Tottenham too because we have Richarlison, I support United, I support the Brazilian players.’
