Arsenal and Liverpool UCL hopes dismissed with rival 'on a different level'

Arsenal and Liverpool are among the sides eyeing Champions League glory but would likely have to get the better of PSG, who have looked sensational as they begin the defence of their title

Arsenal and Liverpool have been told their hopes of winning the Champions League are likely to be thwarted by PSG, who are on a "different level" to the rest of Europe.

The French giants finally claimed European glory last term as they hammered Inter Milan in the final and they've begun their defence in dominant fashion. This week they hammered Bayer Leverkusen 7-2 to keep up their 100 percent start from three games.

Arsenal and Liverpool are seen as the English sides most likely to conquer the continent and the Gunners, like the Parisians, have won three from three. The Reds hammered Frankfurt on Wednesday night to get back to winning ways.

Last season en route to the trophy PSG downed both Arsenal and Liverpool. The latter were knocked out in the last 16 following a penalty shootout at Anfield whilst the north Londoners were beaten in the last four with PSG winning home and away.

Danny Murphy believes Arsenal will end their wait for a trophy this season by claiming a first top flight title since 2004, and also dismissed the idea that Mikel Arteta needs to go if they don't claim silverware.

He was asked if he expects Arsenal to win either the top flight or the European Cup this season and told talkSPORT: "Yes, I do now. I think they win the Premier League. In the Champions League… PSG, when everyone is fit, they’re on a different level.

"But I don’t agree that Mikel Arteta has to win something. If you get 98 points and lose the title on the final day or lose the Champions League final in extra-time because of a bad refereeing decision you’re not going to get rid of the manager, are you? That would be ridiculous.

"So I don’t think he has to win something but he would have to be damn unlucky and be competitive right until the end in both competitions to be forgiven."

Arsenal invested heavily in the summer, adding the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi in a bid to end their run of near misses. Having finished second for three years on the bounce the north Londoners now sit top of the table.

On Tuesday they hammered Atletico Madrid, beating the Spanish side 4-0 at the Emirates. Only weeks ago and Liverpool narrowly edged past Diego Simeone's side, but the Atletico boss confessed that Arsenal were a cut above.

He said: "I would say the best team we have faced this season. They compete so well, their players run and run and they have quality all over the pitch. They deserved to win today and I want to congratulate them.