It's Euro 2008 Week on Arsenal.com as we count down the final days to this summer's tournament in Austria and Switzerland.
A total of seven Arsenal players will represent their countries at this year's European Championship: Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie, William Gallas, Philippe Senderos, Johan Djourou, Lukasz Fabianski and Jens Lehmann. But which Gunner has the best chance of bringing back the trophy.
We asked six famous Arsenal faces for their views on Euro 2008 and one team kept cropping up. Find out why the pundits think a certain Arsenal midfielder will have a big smile on his face at the end of June.
Stewart Robson
"I want Spain to win it and I believe they
can. The reasons? They have the best midfield in the tournament
with Iniesta, Xavi and Fabregas. Their tempo of passing is quicker
than the Italians, the Dutch and the French. I think they can
change their formation at will by bringing on David Villa who can
play on the right of midfield, behind Torres or up front alongside
him. I think if Torres and Fabregas can work as closely as Gerrard
and Torres do for Liverpool then Spain will be almost unstoppable.
I'm hoping from an Arsenal point of view that Fabregas comes of
age to take the tournament by storm. I hope the tournament is
remembered for his performances because in all the big games last
season he played at his very best."
Ray Parlour
"I think Germany have got a very good draw
but I like Spain. Cesc will have a big part in
that and then Torres who is on fire at Liverpool. They are a
younger team. They always seem to bottle it but they might have a
bit more this year and I think they could go close."
Alan Smith
"Am I going to support anyone? Not at the moment, I will see
how it develops. I won't support Croatia and I hope they get
knocked out in the group stages for knocking us out! A lot of
people say Spain and you look at the players they
have got - not just Cesc but Xavi, Iniesta and of course Torres. If
he starts knocking in the goals what a weapon that could be. They
have a lot of world-class players so maybe finally they could play
to their potential. Over the years they have disappointed, they
have been even less successful than England, but it is also hard to
look beyond Germany. With someone like Michael
Ballack, the leader that he is and in the form that he is in, they
are going to be strong."
Perry Groves
"I must admit I am not particularly bothered but I have a
sneaky suspicion with Spain, obviously because of
Cesc. But look through their spine, they have Casillas, Puyol,
Fabregas, Iniesta, Xavi, Torres and Villa. That is strong and they
are a young side. The only thing that worries me is that their
media put as much pressure on them as the media here do on England.
It is whether they can handle that. They are massive
under-achievers and their bottle goes in Championships. This time,
because of their youth, I expect them to get at least to the
Semi-Finals."
Nigel Winterburn
"I haven't taken much interest. I will watch some of the
games but it won't be with the same intensity. It will be the
usual favourites, the Germans, the Italians. I think too, that you
can you look at Holland if they can stick together. Spain too,
could it be their year? I don't know."
Terry Neill
"I think it's very open but a lot of people who have been
talking to me seem convinced that it's about time
Spain will come of age. For so many tournaments
they have flattered to deceive but now, with Torres, Villa as well,
maybe this will be their time. Mind you, we have said that many
times before. You don't discount Germans - ever - but I would
be swayed by Spain. The media over there is very similar to here,
expectancy is exceptionally high, and they haven't fulfilled
their potential. But the law of averages suggests they can do it
now."
