Arsenal is in top form this season and finished the group stage with all eight wins to top the UEFA Champions League table.
They are the team to beat this season, but Sami Khedira believes another side is currently ahead.
Arsenal Lacking in Key Areas, Not Bayern Munich
The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw is set to take place this Friday, Feb 27. Arsenal is set to face Bayer Leverkusen or Atalanta, with the other side taking on Bayern Munich.
Sami Khedira spoke to German publication Kicker, claiming that the Gunners were not the top side in the competition this season. He believes Bayern Munich is the team to watch out for, as they have top players and game-changers all over the pitch.
The former Germany midfielder added that the Bundesliga side is also mentally in a better position, as all their players are available. He hailed them as the “absolute number one” side and said:
“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.”
Surprisingly, it is a common opinion among those working in the German media industry. Dietmar Hamann also made a similar claim earlier this week, saying that the Bundesliga champions know how to win trophies, something Arsenal lacks.
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He does not see any side beating Bayern Munich in a two-leg fixture, and told Metro:
“For the Arsenal players, they haven’t been Premier League champions. And unless you do it, you don’t know you’re capable of doing it. So, I think there will be a few edgy moments. I would favor Bayern Munich over two games. But it would be a fantastic game because obviously the first game was breathtaking. Obviously, they can only play in the final now with the draw. I’d slightly favor Bayern Munich, but I don’t think we’ll get a final Bayern Munich against Arsenal.”
Bayern Munich and Arsenal are at opposite ends of the draw and will only meet in the final this year. They faced off in the group stage at the Emirates earlier this season, with the Gunners winning 3-1 following goals from Jurrien Timber, Noni Madueke, and Gabriel Martinelli. Lennart Kart scored the lone goal for the German side to bring them level just after the half-hour mark.
