One former Manchester United star is not expecting Arsenal to light up the European stage this season.
Arsenal will get their Champions League campaign underway against Atalanta on Thursday.
Mikel Arteta will be keen to attack the competition this season. Last time around, as the Gunners made their return to the Champions League after an extended absence, they reached the quarter-final stage before being eliminated by Bayern Munich.
That experience will benefit the North London club this time around, though. Arteta will believe that his side has what it takes to go all the way, but will recognise the fact that balancing a Champions League run with the gruelling schedule of the Premier League will be an enormous challenge in and of itself.
Owen Hargreaves calls out Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz in Arsenal claim
Former Manchester United ace Owen Hargreaves is convinced that a lack of strength in depth will ultimately cost Arsenal in the Champions League.
As quoted by Metro, the former England international said: “ don’t know if it’s naivety but I think they’re pretty inexperienced at that level.
“I can’t think of many who had been there before last season – Jorginho was probably one of the few guys, Gabriel Jesus but he was a squad player at City – so I think it takes time.
“Kai Havertz has done an amazing job as a striker but I’m maybe slightly surprised that they didn’t add one other player to help out.
“We’ve seen it’s hard [to win the Champions League] – look at Paris Saint-Germain who have invested billions and haven’t been able to win. I do think that Arsenal are going up – they’ll win trophies. But the competition gets fiercer every year and that lack of depth could cost them.”
Do Arsenal lack Champions League firepower?
Arteta may make changes to face Atalanta, as he will wish to rest players ahead of the Gunners’ upcoming Premier League clash with Manchester City.
This means that Gabriel Jesus may well come into the side, and the Brazilian will be desperate to find some form, having struggled to produce end product last season. However, he does boast an excellent record in this competition, which will boost his confidence.
If Jesus can’t get back to his best, though, then Arteta’s side will struggle to get the goals they need to compete seriously across multiple fronts. Arsenal aren’t expected to sign a striker in January, meaning that they are likely stuck with the attacking options they have now for the rest of the season.
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