Arsenal in ‘different universe’ to Bayern Munich due to lack of European success | Champions League

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal stay in a “completely different universe” to European heavyweights corresponding to Actual Madrid and Bayern Munich given they’ve but to win the Champions League.

The Premier League leaders head into their assembly with Bayern on the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday having gained all 4 matches thus far within the league part and are the one workforce but to concede a purpose.

The Bundesliga champions even have a 100% file within the competitors and are the joint-top scorers with former Tottenham striker Harry Kane returning to north London having already discovered the again of the web 27 occasions for Bayern this season.

Arsenal reached the semi-finals of the Champions League for the third time of their historical past final season earlier than being knocked out by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain and have solely made it to the ultimate as soon as – in 2006 after they misplaced to Barcelona.

Requested whether or not they’re already an elite European workforce or nonetheless have to show it by beating six-time winners Bayern, Arteta mentioned: “Should you speak about performances and consistency, hopefully sure. However to contemplate that when it comes to the trophies at that degree, I imply, we have now by no means gained the Champions League in our historical past and Bayern Munich have gained it six occasions. So, we aren’t there. In contrast [also] with Actual Madrid – they’re a special universe.”

Arteta revealed that strikers Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz may have scans to find out if they may return from harm layoffs towards Chelsea on Sunday and was hopeful captain Martin Ødegaard can be again towards Bayern.

Kane has scored six occasions on the Emirates Stadium – greater than every other visiting participant – and was on track on his final go to throughout Bayern’s 2-2 draw within the first leg of their quarter-final in April 2024.

“I feel he’s an incredible striker, everybody is aware of that,” mentioned Jurriën Timber. “He has so many qualities. He has been doing it for such a very long time already, and now at Bayern Munich he has been top-of-the-line gamers on the planet. So, it’s going to be a pleasant problem for us as a workforce, as defenders, to cease him.”

Kane, whose contract at Bayern expires in June 2027, is of curiosity to Barcelona as a summer season substitute for Robert Lewandowski and the England captain appeared to go away the door open to that risk regardless of insisting he’s glad in Germany.

“I haven’t had any contact with anybody, no one has contacted me,” he advised Bild. “I really feel very snug within the present scenario, although we haven’t but mentioned my scenario with Bayern. There’s no rush. I’m actually glad in Munich. You may see that in the way in which I’m enjoying. If there’s contact, then we’ll see.

“However I’m not fascinated about the brand new season but. First up is the World Cup in the summertime. And it’s most unlikely that something will change after this season.”

Requested whether or not his all-round recreation has improved since leaving Spurs in 2023, Kane added: “The transfer has been top-of-the-line choices in my life. I’ve beloved each second of it. To expertise a brand new league, to expertise a workforce like Bayern Munich, have the European nights, have the atmospheres within the German league, simply encompass myself in several cultures, and completely different gamers, I feel it’s been an excellent step in my profession, I feel it’s helped me evolve as a participant, helped me enhance as a participant, and I feel you’re seeing that aspect of me, proper now.”