Arsenal (left) and Sami Khedira (Both images: Getty)
Arsenal (left) and Sami Khedira (Both images: Getty)
Former Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira reckons Bayern Munich are the bigger favourites than Arsenal to go all the way in the UEFA Champions League.
The Gunners and Bayern - in that order - finished top two in the league phase last month. While Mikel Arteta's side produced a perfect campaign, winning all eight games. Bayern won seven times and lost once, with that defeat coming against the Gunners.
Ahead of the Round of 16 next month, Khedira said that Bayern are the favourites to win this season's competition if they remain adequately rested, telling German publication Kicker (via Daily Mail):
"For me, it will be crucial that Bayern Munich go into the knockout phase reasonably rested. But the most important thing in this crucial phase will be that their spine, their absolute top players and game-changers, are healthy and fit, especially mentally.
"Then, for me, they are the absolute number one, even ahead of Arsenal."
Both the Gunners and Bayern are in contention for the quadruple, a feat achieved by reigning Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain last season.
It's pertinent to note that Arteta's side are yet to win European club football's blue riband competition, with their best finish being a final run in 2006, losing 2-1 to Barcelona. Meanwhile, Bayern are six time winners of the Champions League, with their last triumph coming as part of a continental treble in 2020.
What's next for Champions League contenders Arsenal and Bayern Munich?
Arsenal are alive in four competitions. (Image: Getty)
Arsenal are alive in four competitions. (Image: Getty)
Arsenal and Bayern Munich are in the midst of superb seasons. While the Gunners are five points clear atop the Premier League, Bayern are eight points clear in the Bundesliga.
Mikel Arteta's Gunners are coming off a rousing 4-1 win at north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, returning to winning ways in the league after successive stalemates at Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
They next take on Chelsea at home in the Premier League on Sunday (March 1). After travelling to Brighton & Hove Albion three days later, the Gunners host Mannsfield Town on March 7 for a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals. On March 22, they take on Manchester City in the EFL Cup final, a competition they haven't won in more than three decades.
Meanwhile, Bayern saw off Eintracht Frankfurt at home in the Bundesliga at the weekend. They next travel to Borussia Dortmund on Saturday (February 28) to close out the month.