ALAN SHEARER PREDICTS ARSENAL VS PSG CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL SHOWDOWN
Alan Shearer tips PSG to stop Arsenal’s Champions League hunt despite a 3-1 masterclass against Inter Milan.
Alan Shearer thinks Paris Saint-Germain will be the team to stop Arsenal from lifting their first Champions League trophy, even after the Gunners' impressive win over Inter Milan.
Petar Sucic equalised after Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring, but another goal from Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres’ third of the tournament sealed the win for Arsenal. Now, Arsenal sit at the top of their group, perfect so far with seven wins from seven.
Still, Shearer believes Arsenal will struggle when they meet PSG later in the competition. Chatting on Amazon Prime before Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Inter, Shearer said, “You can’t deny Arsenal have a real shot this year. But honestly, after what PSG did last season and looking at the players they’ve got, I’m leaning towards them. Arsenal will be close, though.”
Asked who he thinks PSG would beat in the final, Shearer replied, “Probably Arsenal. I don’t think it’ll be a 5-0 again if they meet in the final. Arsenal have real confidence now, and you can see it in their squad depth. Even when they rotate, they’re still strong—a team that can go anywhere and win, like they did tonight at Inter. That’ll help them in the big moments, so for me, PSG and Arsenal are the two favourites.”
Shearer also pointed out that getting Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus fit again will be huge for Arsenal as they chase their first Premier League title since 2004. “I think they’ll win the Premier League with their seven-point lead. It was a great weekend for them, with City and Villa both dropping points,” he said. “Their squad is so deep. They can make changes and don’t seem to miss a beat. Now they’re getting key players like Jesus and Havertz back from injury. Defensively, that’s their biggest strength for me—they just don’t give much away at the back. I think they’ll go on and do it.”
Even with Arsenal pulling ahead of Manchester City in the league, Shearer still expects City to push them all the way. “City will keep the pressure on Arsenal, no doubt,” he said. “Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi are great signings. You’ve already seen Semenyo make an impact, even if it wasn’t his best weekend. Their real issue is at the back—they needed help at centre-back, and Guehi gives them that. City will push Arsenal because of their experience, but honestly, I think Arsenal have enough and will get it done.”
TOTTENHAM CONFIRM MANAGER POSITION FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH AGAINST ATLETICO MADRID
Tottenham confirm Igor Tudor will remain in charge for the Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid this Tuesday.
Tottenham has put an end to the speculation about Igor Tudor’s future by confirming he will stay on as head coach for their upcoming Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. Sky Sports reports Tudor will lead the pre-match press conference on Tuesday ahead of this crucial fixture.
Pressure on Tudor had been mounting following a rocky start at Tottenham. There were murmurs he might be sacked after a series of disappointing results, but the late 1-1 draw against Liverpool seems to have provided a reprieve. Before that, the assumption was that one more loss, especially away at Anfield, could cost him his job. Confirming Tudor’s role for the Atletico clash signals the club is sticking with him for now, at least through the next big challenge.
That challenge is significant. Spurs are trailing 5-2 on aggregate after the first leg against Atletico, a match that drew sharp criticism for Tottenham’s performance. The game was difficult to watch, not only because of the scoreline but also because of a striking moment when goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was taken off just 17 minutes in, a rare and unsettling decision that highlighted deeper issues.
For Tudor, Tuesday’s match is both a test and an opportunity to demonstrate leadership. The confirmation of his position brings mixed feelings among fans. There’s a recognition that stability is important during such a hectic part of the season, yet lingering doubts remain after some shaky displays.
Fans watched the first leg against Atletico with a sense of disbelief. Conceding five goals and that early goalkeeper substitution raised legitimate questions about the team’s preparation and tactical choices. That substitution felt emblematic of a chaotic night, reflecting larger problems.
The gritty draw with Liverpool, though, offered a glimpse of fighting spirit and earned some credit for resilience, even if the overall form is inconsistent. Moments like that can offer managers breathing room in tough times.
Still, supporters crave clarity and a long-term vision. Tottenham has shifted its direction multiple times in recent years, and the fans want a coherent plan moving forward. Tudor now has a clear chance to reinforce his authority and bring some order against a tough Atletico side.
Even if overcoming the deficit proves elusive, Spurs supporters will be looking for signs of organisation, determination, and a stronger team identity. That might be the most valuable takeaway from the clash.
UCL DRAW 2026 LAST 16: PREMIER LEAGUE GIANTS FACE BRUTAL DRAW IN QUEST FOR EUROPEAN GLORY 2026
The Champions League draw is out! Read the full list of fixtures, including Man City vs Real Madrid and Newcastle’s trip to Barcelona.
Manchester City will go head-to-head with Real Madrid in what’s easily the standout fixture of this season’s Champions League round of 16.
UEFA stuck to the same process as last year’s new format, running the draws for the last 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals all on the same day in Nyon, Switzerland.
There’s still plenty of English interest left in the competition. Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham, and Man City all made it through, which pretty much guarantees the Premier League an extra Champions League spot next season thanks to the UEFA coefficient.
With the seeding and pairing rules, each of the 16 teams already knew they’d be facing one of just two possible opponents in the next round.
Liverpool and Tottenham ended up in the same section of the bracket. No surprise, since they finished third and fourth in their groups.
Arsenal, who topped their group, drew Bayern Munich. Manchester City got Sporting Lisbon, and Chelsea lined up against Barcelona.
After Newcastle’s play-off win over Qarabag, they were slotted into their section of the bracket.
Now that the draw’s done, here’s what’s coming up: Chelsea will take on defending champions PSG, and Newcastle will get Barcelona.
Real Madrid against Manchester City is the pick of the bunch, two giants going toe-to-toe.
Liverpool will face Galatasaray, while Tottenham will meet Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are set to play either Bayer Leverkusen or Atalanta – a tricky tie either way.
Here’s the full Champions League last 16 draw for 2025/26:
Manchester City vs Real Madrid
Bodø/Glimt vs Sporting
Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea
Newcastle vs Barcelona
Galatasaray vs Liverpool
Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham
Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal
And for the Europa League quarter-finals:
Paris Saint-Germain/Chelsea vs Galatasaray/Liverpool
Real Madrid/Manchester City vs Atalanta/Bayern Munich
Newcastle/Barcelona vs Tottenham/Atletico Madrid
Bodø/Glimt/Sporting vs Bayer Leverkusen/Arsenal
The Europa League semi-finals shape up like this:
Paris Saint-Germain/Chelsea/Galatasaray/Liverpool vs Real Madrid/Manchester City/Atalanta/Bayern Munich
Newcastle/Barcelona/Tottenham/Atletico Madrid vs Bodo/Glimt/Sporting/Bayer Leverkusen/Arsenal
As for the dates, here’s what you need to know:
Round of 16: March 10/11 & 17/18, 2026
Quarter-finals: April 7/8 & 14/15, 2026
Semi-finals: April 28/29 & May 5/6, 2026
Final: May 30, 2026, in Budapest
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