Alan Smith’s Expert Predictions: Champions League Final and Season Review

Where Does This Arsenal Side Rank in History

The double would be the biggest achievement in the club’s history. There’s no question about that. You can argue who is the best team, but if it achieves the double, the whole purpose of the team is to win trophies. Nobody’s done that before in Arsenal’s history. So it’ll be up there at the top. It really will. And that’s a great motivation for the players to go down in folklore in history like that.

As I say, the Invincibles, I’ll go back to when Patrick Vieira was on Monday Night Football and he was asked who from this team gets in the Invincibles and it ended four or five. So that just shows you. So yeah, it would be the best ever.

Kroupi Jr Linked with Arsenal

I can’t really think of somebody he reminds you of. He’s only 19, isn’t he? You think of Wayne Rooney when he came in. He was younger than that, wasn’t he? And he just took it by storm. Another example of Bournemouth’s brilliant recruitment policy. I don’t know whether a big money offer came in, would Bournemouth let him go? I don’t know. I think probably that might be a little bit early for him, another season at least at Bournemouth. But yeah, he’s a fantastic talent, no doubt about it. That goal against Man City typified it.

Noni Madueke England Squad Selection

I think he is somebody who can hug the touchline. He’s kind of a winger as such. And somebody that’s going to take on his full back, somebody that hopefully can get to the byline. Obviously, a much different kind of player than Foden and Cole Palmer. So, yeah, interesting selection, really. But Thomas Tuchel’s got his own thoughts on all of that squad, and he sees a place for him. I think you need people who can beat a man who are willing to take on an opponent. And I think he’s one of those.

Should Lewis-Skelly Start Over Zubimendi in the CL Final

I think Zubimendi’s come back a little bit. I think Arteta would be loath to not use his experience on the big stage like that. I can’t see him being left out. I have heard talk of maybe Lewis-Skelly playing as well in a three-man midfield with Declan Rice, but that would mean losing Trossard or the number ten, Odegaard or Eze. So I don’t think that’s the way. Arsenal have got the ability to win that battle in the middle of the park with the quality that they’ve got.

Tuchel Picking Ivan Toney Over Calvert-Lewin

Do you know what, though? I never actually thought he’d get picked. Ivan Toney just came out of nowhere. Left field, really. Nobody predicted that. But that’s Thomas Tuchel. He sees certain qualities in Toney and, off the bench, he feels he could dovetail with Kane, great penalty taker, and somebody who can ruffle feathers maybe in the last 20 minutes.

But for Calvert-Lewin, I know what it feels like. Steve Bull went in instead of me that year, and it’s a gut-wrencher. And that was Calvert-Lewin’s chance, wasn’t it? He probably won’t get another one, so yeah, feel for him.

Evan Ferguson Move to Celtic

Ferguson certainly needs something, doesn’t he? He’s just stalled, gone backwards, went over to Roma on loan. Hopefully, he would have learned something there. He’s only 21, but I think he had ankle surgery in March or something like that. He just needs to get a good pre-season.

A couple of years ago, he looked a real talent, didn’t he? So if he can get some goals up at Celtic and then develop again, he’s got to look after himself off the pitch, one or two stories that suggest he could be more professional. But you’d like to see a young lad like that do well and maybe Celtic could be a good home for him.

Jordan Henderson’s England Selection

I wonder how much football he’ll play. It does seem that he’s in there for the camaraderie, the experience, that winning mentality. So it’s more on the training ground, in the dining room, in the dressing room, more than actually pulling on his boots and playing.

Again, it’s one of those. Thomas Tuchel’s been very bold and decisive in what he wants. And you want a happy camp and you want a winning mentality in that camp. And obviously, that’s why Henderson’s in there.