Sami Khedira has delivered his verdict on Arsenal and Bayern Munich’s Champions League chances this season.
Mikel Arteta and Vincent Kompany’s sides finished first and second in the league phase of the competition.
Both teams were absolutely outstanding and have rightly been described as the favourites to go all the way to the final in Budapest.
Real Madrid and Germany icon Khedira, however, believes Bayern will pip the Premier League leaders to European glory.
Fill in the blank: Arsenal’s best player in the league phase of the Champions League was ____________
Sami Khedira thinks Bayern Munich will win the Champions League over Arsenal
Arsenal have been the best team in the Champions League so far this season.
The Gunners won every single one of their eight games in the league phase, scoring 23 goals and conceding just four.
Bayern were brilliant as well, but Arsenal beat them convincingly when they faced each other at the Emirates.
Despite that, Khedira believes the Bavarians will be the ones to lift the Champions League, as long as their players are well rested.
Speaking prior to the Champions League knockout stage draw, Khedira said, as per The Metro: “For me, it will be crucial that Bayern Munich go into the knockout phase reasonably rested.
“But the most important thing in this crucial phase will be that their spine, their absolute top players and game-changers, are healthy and fit, especially mentally.
“Then, for me, they are the absolute number one, even ahead of Arsenal.”
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Bayern will have an advantage that Arsenal won’t in the latter stages of the Champions League
On paper, Arsenal arguably have a stronger squad than Bayern Munich. That was evident when the two sides met in the league phase at the Emirates Stadium.
However, Arsenal are in a gruelling title race with Manchester City, and the difference in points between the two sides is effectively just two points because of Pep Guardiola’s side’s game in hand.
Bayern, on the other hand, are already eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table and will likely win the title long before the Champions League final. That means Kompany will likely be able to rest many of his players if they do reach the last stage.
Arsenal, on the other hand, won’t have that luxury because their title race is expected to go all the way, and their involvement in the two domestic cups will take its toll as well.
However, the Gunners have a much easier path to the Champions League final than Bayern, so we’re sure Arteta will not be complaining.
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