Paul Merson names the one team Arsenal must avoid in the UEFA Champions League

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Paul Merson has named the one team Arsenal must avoid in the UEFA Champions League.

The 55-year-old made the comments when speaking on Sky Sports.

So, who does Paul Merson think Arsenal need to avoid in the UEFA Champions League? Let’s take a look…

Paul Merson says Arsenal must avoid Bayern Munich

Well, some may have presumed the Sky Sports pundit would say Manchester City – given their status as treble winners.

However, Merson actually named Bayern Munich as the side Arsenal need to avoid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, pinpointing the Bundesliga outfit’s experience as a potentially decisive factor.

The man from Harlesden said: “I think they (Arsenal) are the only team that can challenge Manchester City in this. I really do. If they come up against Bayern Munich – who are seasoned pros at it – that’s the only thing that worries me… you need experience.”

Bayern Munich are managed by a UEFA Champions League winner in Thomas Tuchel, while the German giants also have Thomas Muller in their ranks – a man with 149 appearances in Europe’s greatest club competition to his name, along with 54 goals and 33 assists.

The Bavarians also own the vastly experienced Manuel Neuer and Joshua Kimmich, while even Harry Kane and Eric Dier have experience of a UEFA Champions League final.

Therefore, Merson certainly has a point in stating that Bayern Munich could cause Arsenal problems.

Mikel Arteta should back his side against anybody

In our view, Arsenal can beat any of the seven sides remaining in the UEFA Champions League.

Real Madrid struggled immensely against RB Leipzig in the second leg – scraping by thanks to some individual brilliance from Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior – and seem far less formidable than in recent times.

PSG also have their shortcomings without the brilliance of Kylian Mbappe, while Barcelona are not what they used to be – across the entire starting XI, Arsenal are arguably the strongest unit with little reliance on individuals having to bail them out.

In truth, we see absolutely no reason why the Gunners cannot win a maiden UEFA Champions League title this season.