Paul Merson has identified the team that Arsenal should steer clear of in the UEFA Champions League. The 55-year-old pundit made this assertion during his appearance on Sky Sports. Consequently, it prompts the question: which team does Merson believe Arsenal must avoid in the UEFA Champions League?
Paul Merson says Arsenal must avoid Bayern Munich
The Sky Sports pundit, despite the expectation of naming Manchester City due to their treble-winning status, identified Bayern Munich as the team Arsenal should avoid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final. Merson emphasized Bayern’s seasoned experience as a potential decisive factor. He stated, “I think they (Arsenal) are the only team that can challenge Manchester City in this. I really do. If they come up against Bayern Munich – who are seasoned pros at it – that’s the only thing that worries me… you need experience.” Bayern Munich, led by UEFA Champions League-winning manager Thomas Tuchel and featuring seasoned players like Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer, and Joshua Kimmich, possess a wealth of experience in European competitions. Merson’s observation holds weight as Bayern Munich could present significant challenges for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta should back his side against anybody
In our analysis, Arsenal possesses the capability to overcome any of the remaining seven teams in the UEFA Champions League.
Real Madrid encountered significant difficulties against RB Leipzig in the second leg, narrowly advancing due to standout performances from Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior. Consequently, they appear less formidable compared to previous seasons.
Similarly, PSG’s performance suffers in the absence of Kylian Mbappe’s brilliance, and Barcelona has declined from its former prowess. When considering the entirety of the starting XI, Arsenal arguably presents the strongest collective unit with minimal dependence on individual performances to secure victories.
In conclusion, we find no compelling rationale why Arsenal cannot secure their first UEFA Champions League title this season.