Manchester City loanee Manuel Akanji spoke to the media ahead of facing Arsenal in the Champions League while on loan at Inter Milan.
Arsenal travel to San Siro to face Inter Milan in the Champions League for the second consecutive season.
The Gunners lost 1-0 to Inter last season in the league phase, falling short to a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty, despite dominating the game.
Now, Mikel Arteta’s side will be eager to travel to Milan in search of another three points to maintain their perfect form in the league thus far.
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Manuel Akanji doesn’t think Arsenal are the best team in Europe
One glance at the Champions League table will tell you that Arsenal are the team to beat in Europe this season.
In six league phase matches, the Gunners have a 100% win rate and, most impressively, have conceded just one goal.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday night’s fixture, Inter Milan’s manager, Cristian Chivu, said Arsenal are the strongest team around, on par with Bayern Munich.
Interestingly, when it was Manuel Akanji’s turn to speak to the media, he admitted that he doesn’t wholly agree with his boss.
“Did I say that Arsenal isn’t the strongest in Europe? Yes,” Akanji said.
The defender, currently on loan from Man City, added, “For me, the strongest in Europe is Bayern.”
It’s an interesting take that Arsenal won’t take offence to, given that Arteta’s side have already beaten Bayern this season in the Champions League.
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What was said in 2024 proves Akanji isn’t the biggest fan of Arsenal
No Inter Milan player will be as familiar with Arsenal as Akanji, who was involved in Manchester City’s two recent title races against the Gunners.
The Swiss defender praised Arteta’s side, but held back, which is unsurprising, as he’s already made it very clear what he truly thinks about the current Arsenal squad.
Speaking in 2024 after the 2-2 draw against Man City, Akanji was one of many City players to throw shade at Arsenal.
“Always when we play against them, that’s what they’re looking for, the drama,” Akanji said, clearly seething.
“Going hard in the duels, defending with 11 players in their own box and then trying to score from setpieces.”
The 30-year-old also responded to a question about whether Arsenal are masters of the dark arts in football.
“I don’t think there are many better than them at it in Europe,” he said.
“But in the end, we always win the title, and I don’t think it will be different this year.”
They were venomous words from Akanji, who was tired of Arsenal then, and could be even more so after Tuesday night.
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