Arsenal can rule England again but Europe remains beyond them, says Merson

Former England midfielder Paul Merson believes Arsenal will retain their Premier League title this season but says they are unlikely to win the Champions League because they do not have a star centre-forward.

The 58-year-old former footballer has outlined his expectations for Mikel Arteta’s side, offering a positive prediction for their domestic campaign while questioning whether they have enough attacking quality to go all the way in Europe.

Merson expects Arsenal to win the Premier League again, suggesting the London club can maintain their position at the top of English football. However, he does not believe the same squad is equipped to overcome the demands of the Champions League.

His main concern is Arsenal’s lack of an elite central striker. In Merson’s view, the absence of a high-profile centre-forward could prevent the Gunners from turning their domestic success into European glory.

The former player said Arsenal will “not be able to cope” in the Champions League because of that shortage of star quality in the most advanced position.

That prediction comes after Arsenal went close to winning the competition in the previous campaign. Arteta’s team reached the final, but their hopes ended against Paris Saint-Germain after the match was decided by a penalty shootout.

Reaching the final represented a significant European run for Arsenal, yet Merson believes the final step remains beyond them at present. His assessment is that success in the Premier League and success in the Champions League require different levels of attacking strength, particularly when a team is competing at the highest stage of European football.

For Arsenal, the former footballer’s comments therefore present a mixed outlook. He sees the club as capable of repeating its domestic achievement, but doubts whether it can improve on last season’s European finish and lift the Champions League trophy.

Merson’s judgement is based specifically on what he regards as Arsenal’s lack of a star centre-forward. While he expects the club to win the Premier League, he does not think that strength will be enough to secure the continent’s leading club prize.

The contrast in his forecast is clear: Arsenal are tipped to remain champions of England, but their European campaign is expected to end short of the title. The club’s previous Champions League final appearance, which concluded with defeat by Paris Saint-Germain on penalties, provides the background to Merson’s view of their prospects this season.

His prediction leaves Arsenal facing two separate expectations. Domestically, Merson believes they can once again finish first. In Europe, however, he expects the shortage of a star striker to prove decisive and prevent Arteta’s side from winning the Champions League.