Arsenal Face European Hurdle in Champions League Second Leg
Arsenal travel to Germany on Wednesday for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash against Bayern Munich, needing to overcome a mental block, according to pundit Mark Goldbridge.
Arsenal’s European Hangover a Concern
Mark Goldbridge believes Arsenal are carrying the weight of past European failures, impacting their performance in the Champions League. “Arsenal, they still seem to still have a European hangover from years ago,” Goldbridge said on talkSPORT. “They don’t seem to play defensively and offensively as they do in the Premier League, which has to be some sort of mental block.”
The Gunners haven’t reached the Champions League semi-finals since the 2008/09 season, and their lack of experience on this stage is a concern. While their first-leg performance against Bayern ended in a 2-2 draw, they couldn’t capitalize on the home advantage and now face a hostile Allianz Arena crowd.
Bayern Favored Despite Scoreline
Despite the first leg ending in a draw, Bayern Munich are favorites to progress due to their experience and home advantage. Their superior track record in the latter stages of European competition makes them a formidable opponent for the young Arsenal side.
Mark Goldbridge Sees City as Champions League Favorites
While Arsenal battle their European demons, Mark Goldbridge believes Manchester City are on course to retain their Champions League title. “I think we’re seeing the final already – Man City and Real Madrid look like the two best teams and they’re obviously meeting in the quarter-finals,” said Mark Goldbridge. City’s thrilling 3-3 draw against Real Madrid in the first leg solidified their position as favorites, especially with the return leg at the Etihad Stadium.
Goldbridge acknowledges the exceptional talent on display from both teams, highlighting the goals from Phil Foden, Josko Gvardiol, and Federico Valverde as evidence of the high caliber of the match. While acknowledging the other Champions League matchups, he believes City and Real Madrid stand out as the clear frontrunners.
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