Arsenal fans told to ‘book tickets for final’ after huge Champions League boost

Arsenal are favourites to win the Champions League and, after the draw was made, Joe Cole is convinced they will at least making the final in Budapest later this year

Joe Cole has told Arsenal fans to “book your tickets for Budapest” with the pundit adamant they are going to the Champions League final.

The Gunners are the only team with a perfect record in the tournament this year, winning all eight of their matches, which included beating Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. The knockout draw has also gone in their favour, enhancing their chances of a final appearance.

Mikel Arteta’s side are already down as the tournament favourites and has dodged the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern until the final. They will face Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.

Success in that tie would see them face either Sporting Lisbon or Bodo/Glimt, which have arguably overachieved by simply making it this far. The only major hurdle for Arsenal would be a potential semi-final against the likes of Barcelona or Atletico Madrid – but Cole is confident they’ll make it to the showpiece event.

The ex-Chelsea star said on The Dressing Room Podcast: “Every team that has won it for the last ten years is on one side: Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, so it has opened up for Arsenal.

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“I think, personally, it’s going to be an Arsenal versus Manchester City final. I think it will be an epic. I look at it, my only bet would be Arsenal going to the final. I’m not sure on the other side, with Manchester City you still don’t know because there’s too many good teams.

“In summery, the Champions League draw, they’ve opened it up, someone has rolled it across the goal for Arsenal. They cannot blow it… or can they? Arsenal fans, book your tickets for Budapest, in my opinion.”

Arsenal made the last eight two years ago and then went one step further last term, making the semi-finals before they were downed by eventual winners PSG. They have never tasted European success with their one and only final coming in 2006 under Arsene Wenger.

Arteta’s side kept up their hopes of winning an unprecedented quadruple by downing Mansfield Town on Saturday. It means they’re into the latter stages of the FA Cup, have a Carabao Cup final to come against City later this month and sit top of the Premier League with their destiny in their own hands.

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