Rio Ferdinand has tipped Bayern Munich to knock Arsenal out of the Champions League quarter-finals this week following a 2-2 first leg draw.
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Ferdinand, himself a Champions League winner with Manchester United in 2008, suggested that home advantage and far greater European experience gives Bayern the upper hand to prevail in the second leg and progress to the last four of the competition.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Arsenal scored first in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium last week through Bukayo Saka after only 12 minutes. But ex-Gunners winger Serge Gnabry quickly equalised, before Tottenham legend Harry Kane had Bayern ahead just over half an hour in. An equaliser from Leandro Trossard midway through the second half eventually ensured Arsenal would not begin the return leg trailing. Over the weekend, Mikel Arteta’s team were then beaten by Aston Villa to lose ground in the Premier League title race.
WHAT FERDINAND SAID
Speaking about the game on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: “I think it’s advantage Bayern Munich. Bayern are at home and have all that experience in Europe. Arsenal could win but it’s advantage Bayern for me.
“Can you imagine if Harry Kane knocks them out of Europe? The biggest game of Arsenal’s season is on Wednesday night. If they lose that game, this team will never have been that low under Mikel Arteta. To have a week like this, where you were in control, to then lose control in the league and then you’re out of the Champions League…I would worry for Arsenal at that point.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Arsenal last won a Champions League quarter-final tie 15 years ago in 2009, defeating Villarreal 4-1 on aggregate on that occasion courtesy of goals from Emmanuel Adebayor, Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie. Arsene Wenger’s team were subsequently knocked out by Manchester United in the semis.
WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?
Manchester City have taken control of the title race and sit two points above Arsenal and Liverpool in the table. The Gunners face Wolves, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United over the next few weeks which could be all be tricky games. Arteta’s side will also have to deal with either the disappointment of being knocked out of Europe or the extra fixtures and distraction that would come with progressing, making it a double-edged sword.
