Former Manchester United player Owen Heagreaves commented on the number of permutations in European football since the release of the results for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League (UCL). Arsenal is set to play French Champions Paris St. Germain, Swiss outfit Basel and Bulgarian club Ludogrets Razgrad.
Heagreaves opines that the French club will finish above their English counterparts, mostly die to their superior play. However, he acknowledged that Arsenal would be a worthy opponent during the battle for the Round of 16.
“I think they [Arsenal] can, but I think PSG will top that group. Arsenal can push them if they get it right,” Heagreaves told BT Sport. Something worthy of note is that Arsenal have never won the Champions League, despite their stellar domestic record. Even when they had the arguably the best team in the world, they were stopped from breaking the record. One notable final is the one against Barcelona in 2006.
Arsenal would be in action in Group A when the continental affair begins after the international break, but the former Bayern Munich man sees them finishing in second place. Two clubs would be able to progress to the next stage – which is fine – but they might meet a tougher opponent. In recent times, Arsenal haven’t gone past the Round of 16 at the UCL.
The same Heagreaves revealed that his best Champions League atmosphere was the Celtic Park. The Scottish side would be playing in the tournament group stage though they have a big obstacle to climb if they are to make the knockout stages. Their neighbouring city Cardiff, Wales would be hosting the final, but it would be the biggest dream if they were to make it to the final. Brendan Rodgers would be leading the team when they line up in the continental tourney.