Former Bayern and Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has rubbished Arsenal chances in this season’s Champions League. The gunners returned the competition for the second season in a row under Mikel Arteta and will hope to make it past the quarterfinals this time.
Arsenal lost 3-2 on aggregate in the quarter finals against Bayern Munich last season. They got a 2-2 draw at the Emirates but lost 1-0 at the Allianz Arena. The Gunners begin their Champions League campaign this season against Europa League holders Atalanta.
This season may be a different prospect for Arsenal, as Mikel Arteta praised his team for being able to win ‘ugly’.
Arsenal lack experience and quality Owen Hargreaves
Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves believes the Gunners’ inexperience and lack of depth will cost them this season. The 43-year old lifted the champions league trophy two times: one with Bayern Munich and the other with Manchester United.
Hargreaves believes experience and quality are two key factors in a competition like the champions league:
“I don’t know if it’s naivety but I think they’re pretty inexperienced at that level,” he said.
“I can’t think of many who had been there before last season – Jorginho was probably one of the few guys, Gabriel Jesus but he was a squad player at City – so I think it takes time.
“You saw that in those Bayern games, and Bayern were struggling at that point but were probably worthy winners over the two legs. So I think it takes a bit of time.”
Arsenal showed their inexperience in the two legs as they failed to capitalize and beat the German club. Last season was the first taste of champions league football for most of the Gunners’ young squad.
Squad depth is key in the Champions League
Hargreaves also pointed out that Arsenal lack backups to the best players in their team. And with a schedule like this season, that may play a huge part.
“Raheem Sterling on loan is quite interesting because he gives them experiences and extra depth to give them somebody who’s kind of been there in those games and understands what it takes.
“Kai Havertz has done an amazing job as a striker but I’m maybe slightly surprised that they didn’t add one other player to help out.
“We’ve seen it’s hard [to win the Champions League] – look at Paris Saint-Germain who have invested billions and haven’t been able to win.
“I do think that Arsenal are going up – they’ll win trophies. But the competition gets fiercer every year and that lack of depth could cost them.”
The Gunners will be hoping to continue their unbeaten start to the season as they visit Atalanta on Thursday.
