FOOTBALL
Posted on February 26, 2026 10:30 pm | Updated on February 26, 2026 9:18 pm
Arsenal are flying high. They sit top of the Premier League, five points clear after a 4-1 win over Tottenham. In the Champions League they finished first in the league phase with a perfect eight wins out of eight. But former star Sami Khedira says no. The German legend snubbed Arsenal and called Bayern the “absolute number one”.
Who Is Sami Khedira?
Sami Khedira is a football legend from Germany. He won the World Cup with Germany in 2014. That same year he helped Real Madrid win the Champions League. Later he played for Juventus in Italy. Now retired, he often speaks as a pundit and knows top-level football inside out. He gave his thoughts in an interview with German magazine Kicker.
Sami Khedira is retiring at the end of the season, his club Hertha Berlin have announced 👋
🇩🇪 Stuttgart
🇪🇸 Real Madrid
🇮🇹 Juventus
🇩🇪 Hertha
Congratulations on a brilliant career, @SamiKhedira! 👏 pic.twitter.com/0EcsJRc6kM
— GOAL (@goal) May 19, 2021
Khedira’s Big Claim
Khedira did not pick Arsenal as his top team for the 2025/26 Champions League. Instead he said Bayern Munich are the favourites. He told Kicker: “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.” His words came just before the round of 16 starts next month.
Why Bayern Are His Number One
Bayern had a great league phase – seven wins and one loss in eight games. They finished second, just behind Arsenal. Star striker Harry Kane has been on fire: eight goals in eight Champions League matches and 28 in the Bundesliga – more than double anyone else. Manager Vincent Kompany has built a strong side with young talents.
Khedira knows Bayern had injury problems last season and went out in the quarter-finals. This year they have a smaller squad, so fitness is key. If their best players stay healthy, he believes they can win the whole thing.
Arsenal’s Super Season So Far
Arsenal have been brilliant. They beat every team in the Champions League league phase. They also lead the Premier League and look strong for a first title since 2004. New striker Viktor Gyokeres has scored important goals, while Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze give the team extra power.
Mikel Arteta’s side are chasing a quadruple – Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup. Many experts thought Arsenal were the favourites. But Khedira put them second.
Other Teams That Could Win It
Khedira named more teams who can fight for the trophy. He said Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester City are all realistic winners. He likes Barcelona’s exciting style under Hansi Flick but thinks their defence is too weak to be favourites.
How Arsenal Fans Feel
On social media many Arsenal supporters are unhappy. “We will show him!” and “Arsenal are coming!” are common replies. Some fans joke that Khedira is German so he supports Bayern. Others say it is just one man’s opinion and the team will focus on their own games.
Club legends have stayed positive about Arsenal’s league chances, but everyone knows the Champions League is tough.
What Happens Next?
Arsenal face big tests soon – Chelsea in the league, then the Champions League last 16. Bayern play Borussia Dortmund this weekend and look ready for their knockout tie. Khedira’s words put extra pressure on Arsenal but also give them something to prove. If they keep winning and stay fit, they can silence the doubters.
The Champions League knockout stages always bring surprises. Arsenal have the quality and belief. Sami Khedira may have snubbed them, but the Gunners can still make history this season.
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