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Thierry Henry names two ‘cocky’ teams Arsenal will want to avoid in UCL draw on Friday

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Thierry Henry has named the two teams Arsenal will want to avoid in Friday’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final draw.

The Gunners progressed to the final eight of the competition for the first time in 14 years, breaking their round of 16 curse with a dramatic penalty shootout win against FC Porto.

With the likes of Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona and PSG progressing to the next round of the Champions League, it seems almost guaranteed that Arsenal will face one of the European big guns in the quarter-finals.

Thierry Henry names teams Arsenal want to avoid in Champions League draw

Arsenal Bayern Munich champions league fans banned
Photo by Kristian Skeie – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

And speaking on CBS Sports Golazo, Arsenal legend Henry has named Manchester City and Real Madrid as the two teams the Gunners will really want to avoid on Friday.

Pep Guardiola’s side are the reigning European champions and favourites for this year’s competition, whilst Madrid’s record in the Champions League always makes the Spanish giants a threat.

Henry said: “You have two teams there that can be cocky in the bracket, that’s Real Madrid and Man City, that’s about it though. The others, we take what we can take. Man City are the team to beat, for me.

“I’ve been in so many situations as a player that the team that are easy to play against is never the case. The champions can talk, Real Madrid, as we know, have 14 titles, other than that, let’s see.”

Arsenal have to beat the best if they’re to become the best

Arsenal FC v FC Porto: Round of 16 Second Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

It’s a cliche as old as competitive sports itself, yet if Arsenal are to go all the way in Europe this season, they’re going to have to go toe-to-toe with the best and beat them at their own game.

Whilst there are clearly some favourable draws in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Arsenal will eventually have to play one of the big guns if they’re serious about winning the competition.

And the north London side could find real success in playing against the European giants like Madrid and Bayern, who are yet to face Arsenal under Arteta.