Arsene Wenger, the former Arsenal manager, has identified Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Bayern Munich as the primary non-Premier League challengers to Arsenal’s ambitions in the UEFA Champions League this season. His comments come as Arsenal continues to make a strong start to their campaign, with a 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague securing their fourth win in four matches in the competition.
Bayern Munich have also maintained an impressive record, winning all of their opening four games. Their recent 2-1 win against PSG at the Parc des Princes highlighted their strength, while Liverpool moved into the top eight in the Champions League table after a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid at Anfield. Tottenham, on the other hand, secured a 4-0 win against FC Copenhagen, keeping them in contention.
Manchester City could overtake both Liverpool and Tottenham if they defeat Borussia Dortmund at home on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Newcastle United could match Liverpool’s nine points if they win their respective matches against Qarabag and Athletic Bilbao.
Wenger emphasized that PSG and Bayern Munich are the strongest contenders outside of England. He stated, “I would say they’re the two teams who can win the Champions League this season, outside England.” While Real Madrid is also considered a potential threat, Wenger pointed out that both PSG and Bayern are dominant in their domestic leagues, which gives them a solid foundation for European success.
“Paris Saint-Germain will win the championship in France and Bayern have nearly already nearly won the championship in Germany, so their season of course will be in Europe,” he added. Wenger also noted that these teams will face fierce competition from the five Premier League clubs, which he believes will make the tournament more exciting.
Troy Deeney, a former Premier League striker, echoed Wenger’s sentiments, stating that PSG, Bayern Munich, and Arsenal are the top three teams to watch in the Champions League this season. “I think for all of us we said they would be in our top three – PSG, Bayern Munich and Arsenal,” Deeney told CBS Sports. He acknowledged that the order of these teams may change week by week, but emphasized the strength of both Bayern and Arsenal.
Deeney argued that Bayern Munich, after their recent victory over PSG, should be considered the top contender. However, he also highlighted Arsenal’s impressive form, pointing out that they are leading both the Premier League and the Champions League. “For Arsenal to be top, eight clean sheets in a row, you can make an argument for both teams but Bayern Munich are right up there,” he said.
As the Champions League progresses, fans and experts alike are closely watching how these top teams perform. The competition promises to be highly competitive, with several strong contenders vying for the title. Whether it’s the dominance of PSG and Bayern Munich or the rising power of Arsenal and Liverpool, the tournament is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent years.
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