Alan Shearer snubs Arsenal in Champions League winner prediction | OneFootball

Premier League legend has backed giants to be kings of Europe

Alan Shearer has predicted that Arsenal will once again be pipped to the Champions League.

Mikel Arteta’s side recorded a 3-1 win over Inter Milan on Tuesday, with both Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres getting on the scoresheet at the San Siro.

But Shearer, speaking on Amazon Prime Video, believes that the north Londoners will not lift a first European trophy.

“There is no doubt that this mob tonight, Arsenal, have got a really good chance of being there,” he said.

“But I just think because of what Paris Saint-Germain did last year, the players that they have, I’m just going to edge it with PSG.

“But Arsenal won’t be far away.”

Shearer, the former Blackburn and Newcastle striker, thinks that Arsenal can go all the way through to the final, but predicts that they will fall at the final hurdle.

Paris defeated Arsenal in the semi-finals last year, running out 3-1 victors on aggregate.

“I don’t think [it would be a 5-0 scoreline]” he continued.

“I think with the confidence and the belief that Arsenal have, you’ve seen with the turnover of players in terms of the squad that he can leave on the squad and they still look a very, very strong team and a team capable of coming and winning here tonight [at Inter].

“That will certainly help them in the moments ahead so, yeah, PSG and Arsenal [as favourites].”

Goalscorer: Viktor Gyokeres

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Shearer does, however, envisage Arteta’s men to go on and lift the Premier League trophy come May, with the Gunners holding a seven-point cushion over the two-strong chasing pack of Aston Villa and Manchester City.

“IIt was a really good weekend for them with Manchester City and Aston Villa dropping points again.

“Again, I go back to the squad and how many changes they can make. It doesn’t affect them.

“They’re getting injuries back with Gabriel Jesus and with Kai Havertz as well.

“I think defensively - that’s the key for me - that they just don’t give many goals away and they’re so strong at the back. I think they’ll go ahead and they’ll do it.

“I think Manchester City will push Arsenal all the way.

“Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi are very good signings. We’ve already seen Semenyo have an impact albeit not so much at the weekend.

“Their problems are certainly defensively. They definitely needed somebody to help them out in the centre-back position and Guehi is a very good addition.

“They will push them because of their experience but I’m not sure they’ll have enough and Arsenal will take it.’