Arsenal have been better than every other team in the Champions League this season.
Mikel Arteta’s men finished the league phase with eight wins out of eight, scoring 23 goals and conceding just four. They beat the likes of Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan quite comfortably as well.
That has made Arsenal the favourites to win the Champions League this season, but there are people who have doubts over whether they can go all the way.
Gary Lineker is not one of them.
Fill in the blank: Arsenal’s best player in the league phase of the Champions League was ____________
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Gary Lineker explains three reasons why Arsenal can win the Champions League
Arsenal have never won the Champions League in their history.
The Gunners came close in 2006 by reaching the final of the competition. However, they were beaten by Barcelona after Jens Lehmann received an early red card in the game.
Arsenal reached the semi-finals of the competition last season, but eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain knocked them out at that stage.
Arteta’s dream is to go all the way this campaign, and there is real belief that the North Londoners can do it this season.
Lineker has revealed three reasons why.
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On the Rest is Football podcast, Micah Richards asked: “If Arsenal were in the final right now, would you back them against any of the big European teams?”
Lineker replied: “Yes, I would. For a reason, they’re very difficult to score against. They’re very well organised, and they will hurt you with a set piece.
“And I don’t see that many European teams at the moment probably being able to deal with their set pieces. And I think, I mean, people say, well, it’s not great to watch, but it’s mainly because teams play low against them.
“They could be more pleasing on the eye on occasions, but blimey, look where they are. They’re clear in both competitions. They’re going really well.”
Alan Shearer also agreed with Lineker and claimed that Arsenal could win the Champions League if they reached the final.
If Arsenal could only win one trophy out of the Premier League and the Champions League this season, which one would you pick and why?
William Saliba prefers the Champions League. What about you?
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The one problem Arsenal could face in the Champions League
Lineker and Shearer are spot on; Arsenal definitely have what it takes to win the Champions League this season.
Teams in Europe don’t often sit back and defend with a low block. They come out and attack, and that plays into the Gunners’ hands.
However, the one problem Arteta’s men could face is if they come up against a Premier League side in the latter stages of the competition.
Even the great Pep Guardiola parked the bus against Arsenal earlier this season, and the others could do the same too.
That would complicate things for the Gunners, but if they play at their best level, they should be able to beat everyone.
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