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| Rivaldo of World Legends (R) handles the ball during the FWD Insurance Chinese New Year Cup between World Legends and Hong Kong Legends at Hong Kong Stadium on February 13, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. |
Brazil icon Rivaldo believes Arsenal have what it takes to complete a stunning double this season and win both the Premier League and the Champions League.
Arsenal are currently top of the league, although there is just one point between the Gunners, Liverpool and Manchester City, and they are also among the eight teams left in the Champions League.
And with a quarter-final clash against German giants Bayern Munich on the horizon, Rivaldo believes Arsenal have a "strong enough squad to keep competing in the league and in Europe". He told Betfair : "As a player, it's very difficult to focus on one competition ahead of the other, because you're not sure that if you pick one, you'll be champion and succeed in it.
"Last season, they [Arsenal] were doing very well and at the end of the campaign they started to lose some games and let City take the trophy from their hands. This season, I believe they have a strong enough squad to keep competing in the league and in Europe.
"If they continue to play the same way they have been playing, the same way they have been playing in the Premier League, they will be able to win titles. The Premier League is, in my opinion, the toughest and strongest league in football, so if Arsenal are first in the table it's for a reason.
"Whoever is first in the Premier League has a great chance of winning the Champions League. Arsenal are among the favourites for me. However, we know how football is, the favourites are not always the champions, a lot of things can happen in football, you have to be focused, as it was last season - in a moment of carelessness, they lost the Premier league trophy."
Arsenal are set to take on City next Sunday following the international break in a game that could be pivotal in the title race and Rivaldo has warned the Gunners they simply cannot afford to lose the match and their one point advantage.
"I'm already looking forward to Man City v Arsenal on Easter Sunday," he added. "It's a key game, as we say, it's a six-point game. If you win, you have a big advantage in the title race.
"City know what it takes to win the title because they have done it for the last two season. They have experience in situations like this at the business end of the season. It's a game that Arsenal cannot lose, they need at least a draw and stay ahead of City.
"But even afterwards there will still be plenty of matches to go. Despite it being a key game, it will not decide the title race. There are still a lot of things left to happen in the Premier league this season."
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