McCoist tips Arsenal for two trophies — but not the big one

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Ally McCoist has backed Arsenal to lift at least two trophies this season, predicting the Gunners will retain the Premier League title and add a domestic cup — while stopping short of tipping them for European glory.

Speaking via Football365, the pundit laid out his expectations for a north London side who go into this campaign as reigning champions of England and beaten Champions League finalists.

"You've got to fancy Arsenal for a domestic cup as well," McCoist said. "The Champions League will be tougher this year because teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and PSG will all be strong contenders."

He added: "To answer the question, I think Arsenal will win the league and a domestic cup this season, let's see how it pans out in Europe."

Building on last season's platform

The prediction arrives off the back of a campaign in which Arsenal ended their long wait for a league title. Mikel Arteta's side also reached the Carabao Cup final, only to be beaten by Manchester City, and went all the way to the Champions League final before falling at the last hurdle.

That makes McCoist's forecast less a leap of faith than a projection of what the Gunners have already demonstrated. A squad that competed on multiple fronts deep into the season now has the experience — and the silverware — to back up its ambitions.

The challenge, as ever, is sustaining that level across four competitions. Squad depth, injury luck and the fixture congestion that comes with going far in Europe all shape how these predictions age by May.

Europe remains the hardest ask

McCoist's caution over the Champions League is rooted in the field. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG all carry serious pedigree in the competition, and the margins in knockout football are notoriously thin.

Arsenal know that better than most after last season's final. Reaching that stage confirmed the club belongs among Europe's elite; converting it into a trophy is a different task entirely, and one that has eluded the Gunners throughout their history.

A domestic cup, by contrast, offers a more attainable route to silverware. Arsenal have already shown they can navigate the Carabao Cup to a final, while the FA Cup remains the competition the club has won more than any other.

Retaining a Premier League title is its own significant undertaking. Few sides in the modern era have managed back-to-back championships, and the margin for error across 38 games is unforgiving.

For now, McCoist's verdict adds to the growing external expectation around a squad that has shifted from contenders to champions. Whether the season ends with two pieces of silverware, more, or fewer, will be settled over the months ahead — and Arsenal's ability to manage the demands of four competitions will go a long way to deciding it.