Arsene Wenger has picked the team he thinks looks the most dangerous in Europe, while saying that the pressure is higher in the English Premier League than the Champions League
Wenger, whose side clash with Paris Saint-Germain later in a clash to determine who will likely top the group, was speaking ahead of their Champions League tie tonight.
Real Madrid also face a similar match having defeated Sporting CP last night. They will now face Borussia Dortmund in their final group stage game, and have to win in order to top their group.
Arsenal have usually finished in second place in the group stages the past few seasons, which has ended up with them exiting the competition to the likes of Bayern Munich and Barcelona in the knockout stages.
Should Arsenal win their group, and Real Madrid finish second, there is a chance that Arsenal could yet face Real Madrid in the next round of the tournament.
And Wenger, who will be hoping that is not the case, feels that Real Madrid are currently the most dangerous team in the competition.
When asked in his pre-match press conference if this is the most open Champions League season in a while, Wenger said:
“Yes. I must say that I watched Real Madrid against Atletico Madrid on Saturday and I was impressed by them. They looked at the moment to be the most dangerous side.” he said, according to Squawka.
Wenger’s comments are not without merit, as Real extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 30 games last night.
Arsenal are also currently in the midst of their own unbeaten run, having gone 17 games without losing – the only loss this season coming on the opening day defeat to Liverpool.
Wenger feels that English clubs have closed the gap to Europe’s elite, but feels that the competitions have changed as there is now more pressure in the English Premier League as opposed to the Champions League – which was not the case a decade ago :
Asked if he felt the gap was closing, Wenger had this to say :
“I feel that, yes,” he told reporters during Tuesday’s press conference. “For example, Man City winning against Barcelona. We have an opportunity to show it against Paris Saint Germain. But before the Champions League game was the one you had to prepare for. Today, the Premier League game is the game you have to prepare for.
“Everywhere you go, the difference in the Champions League is that the teams all play football. In the Premier League, even if you have 80 per cent possession, you can still lose the game. The pressure on the Premier League games is today massive.”
