Liverpool icon David James has claimed Aston Villa are a bigger club than Arsenal because they won the European Cup in 1981/82. The former England goalkeeper made this choice when asked to pick the best teams in England.
Arsenal have reached only their second Champions League final this season after getting past Atletico Madrid in the semi-final. The Gunners have never lifted a European trophy in their entire history and must now beat reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) if they are to put an end to that record.
Thanks for the submission!
Mikel Arteta‘s men are not considered favorites to win the Champions League but remain in the driving seat for the Premier League title. And with the north Londoners technically still in the running for two trophies, James was asked to rank the best Premier League clubs on ‘Knockout’ by The Daily Mail.
While he chose Aston Villa over Arsenal, the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle were also picked ahead of Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham, respectively. In the second round, James chose Manchester United over Aston Villa and picked his former team Liverpool ahead of Newcastle.
Lastly, he named Liverpool as the biggest Premier League club instead of Manchester United. James played 277 games for Liverpool in all competitions, keeping 102 clean sheets for the club.
Arsenal will win the Champions League this season: Rio Ferdinand
David James’ former England teammate Rio Ferdinand has made an emphatic prediction before the Champions League final on May 30. The Englishman believes that the Premier League giants will beat PSG to lift the trophy in Budapest.
Ferdinand pointed to how PSG struggled during set-pieces against Bayern Munich in the semi-final and thinks Arteta and co. can cause big problems to the reigning champions.
He spoke in length about how the Gunners are the best team in the Premier League in terms of set-pieces and backed them to hurt PSG, if they get that type of chances.
The former Manchester United defender said on ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’:
“I said Arsenal would win the league this year and I think they will win the league. And I now think that they are going to win the Champions League, guys.
“Even Bayern Munich, who aren’t great at set-pieces, they made them look uncomfortable and I’ve seen it many times this season. They’re the best team in the Premier League at set-pieces and if they get set-pieces and free-kicks and corners, they are going to cause absolute carnage against that small PSG team.
“Physically, at set-pieces, PSG can not compete with Arsenal and if they get any type of possession and any type of free-kicks around the box, or even the halfway line, they’re going to cause damage.”
Arsenal next face Burnley in the Premier League on Monday. They could reopen the five-point lead over Manchester City at the top if they win.
Edited by Nived Zenith
