Chelsea legend feels a pang of emotion seeing Arsenal's current strength

Joe Cole acknowledges feeling "heartbroken" about Arsenal's strength this season, convinced that Mikel Arteta’s squad is capable of matching Chelsea’s defensive record and winning two major trophies.

Chelsea icon Joe Cole recently attracted attention by openly admitting he is “a bit worried” about Arsenal’s outstanding form in the 2025/26 season. Having previously predicted the Gunners would finish in the Premier League top four, Cole now believes Arteta’s side can realistically aim for a Premier League and Champions League double.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Joe Cole, who was part of Chelsea’s 2004/05 Premier League winning team, said Arsenal is currently showing a level of strength similar to the legendary Jose Mourinho Chelsea squad from two decades ago.

“Honestly, I’m a bit concerned. I think Arsenal will win the Premier League, and they might even clinch the Champions League. They are genuinely very strong, and saying this as a Chelsea former player makes me feel a little heartbroken,” Cole added.

In the 2004/05 season, Chelsea conceded only 15 goals, setting the best defensive record in Premier League history. According to statistics, Arsenal could break this record if they concede fewer than 12 goals in the remaining 28 matches. Although an almost impossible target, Cole believes the Gunners’ defense is strong enough to achieve it.

“They look nearly impenetrable, almost invincible. I think this is affecting the mindset of their opponents. We felt that way at Chelsea—every team thought they couldn’t score against us—and now Arsenal has that same kind of strength,” Cole said.

According to the latest data from Opta, after their victory over Atletico Madrid, Arsenal’s chances of winning the Champions League have risen to 20.47%, the highest among the remaining teams. In the Premier League, their win against Burnley in round 10 has boosted their title odds to 71%.

Opta predicts Arsenal will finish the season with 81 points, 11 points ahead of Manchester City and 12 points ahead of Liverpool. This figure highlights the North London club’s dominance early in the season.

With their current form, Arsenal is making the entire Premier League take notice. If they continue to maintain their defensive solidity along with consistent goal-scoring, Joe Cole’s “worry” might become a prophecy as the prospect of Arsenal winning both the Premier League and Champions League becomes more tangible than ever.