Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Arsenal are the underdogs in their upcoming Champions League quarter-final clash against Bayern Munich.
The Gunners make the trip to the Allianz Arena after last week's 2-2 draw in the first-leg against the German giants in north London. A win for either side on the night would send them through to the semi-final, a stage Arsenal have not reached in the Champions League since 2009.
While Mikel Arteta's side can take plenty of confidence from the first-leg, morale is undeniably low in the red half of north London following Sunday's defeat by Aston Villa. Arsenal missed out on the chance to go one point clear at the top of the table after losing 2-0 at home to Unai Emery's side.
Meanwhile, Bayern enjoyed a 2-0 win of their own over FC Koln, but that was not enough to prevent Bayer Leverkusen from winning the Bundesliga and ending Thomas Tuchel's side's reign of dominance. The Bavarians had won the previous 11 titles.
In turn, the Champions League is now all Bayern have to play for and Ferdinand believes they will be the ones to reach the last four. Whoever does will meet the winners of Manchester City vs Real Madrid, which is finely poised at 3-3 on aggregate ahead of their second-leg at the Etihad.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand explained: "I think it’s advantage Bayern Munich. Bayern are at home and have all that experience in Europe.
"Arsenal could win but it’s advantage Bayern for me. Can you imagine if [ex-Tottenham captain] Harry Kane knocks them out of Europe? The biggest game of Arsenal’s season is on Wednesday night. If they lose that game, this team will never have been that low under Mikel Arteta.
"To have a week like this, where you were in control, to then lose control in the league and then you’re out of the Champions League… I would worry for Arsenal at that point."
Arteta was asked how his players are feeling ahead of the trip to Munich after Sunday's defeat. His response was notably optimistic as he claimed: "After losing any game, frustrated and sad.
"But as I said, we have a beautiful opportunity, an opportunity that hasn’t happened at this club for 14 years to get to the semi-finals of the Champions League, so it cannot come in a better moment."
InnocentTeddy
0
chel....?come again
arteta Hi😅😅🤣
Hepalmnps
0
Arsenal are officially out of champions league
wait man city [100percent]
Kohemnz
0
I don't think we can beat Bayern at home. I think penalties will decide the game.
we can beat them at home ok Bayer will loose the match. some of you are not arsenal fan
Sozabcdln
1
Arsenal are officially out of champions league
karlkurt
1
arsenal have a bg chance bayern team have had a lot of injuries and are just coming back to very unfit. Arsenal are the inform team. So it will interesting
Mukhtari
0
chel....?come again
I said you can't beat Chelsea.. when did your useless club won a match last?
hekacdsuyz
0
I guess Arsenal will go there and play defending game hoping to get draw or use a counter attack. This is Arteta's plan and it will definitely lead to their downfall if they play defensive game.
You're Arteta right? Weldon
InnocentTeddy
0
keep dreaming, apart from Coventry, you can't beat man city or Chelsea 😂.. Foden and palmer with another Hat trick against your useless club 😂😂😂😂
chel....?come again
Mukhtari
0
FA cup on the way
keep dreaming, apart from Coventry, you can't beat man city or Chelsea 😂.. Foden and palmer with another Hat trick against your useless club 😂😂😂😂
InnocentTeddy
0
like your useless club has won anything this season 😂😂😂😂
FA cup on the way
Mukhtari
0
trophyless again😅😅
like your useless club has won anything this season 😂😂😂😂
arsenal002
0
I don't think we can beat Bayern at home. I think penalties will decide the game.
Wekkrsty
0
Rio shoosh, your former team is struggling and won’t get to Europe buy any chance. Leave the top 3 people talk
dennisachafu
1
I guess Arsenal will go there and play defending game hoping to get draw or use a counter attack. This is Arteta's plan and it will definitely lead to their downfall if they play defensive game.
D-Maestreo
0
we are in another final😁
Against Manchester City 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Cuodilopry
0
all this man u ex players,they should focus more on Manchester United
Dackies
0
Man U will be in FA CUP FINAL....HAHAHAHA...
lewabekors
0
UTD fana and Arsenal fans eeh😂
Nzedoncool
0
How childish and smallish of Rio Ferdinand , Bayern Munich is not Harry Kane .Forget about Harry Kane .Serge Gnabry was also an Arsenal player , but was not good enough for Arsenal. Harry Kane is currently the best English striker who grace the English soccer pitches, for poor Rio Ferdinand that is very hard to digest if Harry wins with Bayern and he realy deserves it.
why backlashing Rio!do you really understand the write up before commenting?
InnocentTeddy
0
United fans still find a way to talk on forums while their team keeps going down. You're not fighting for the title, you're not in the UCL anymore and even out of Top 4. You guys should just rest and keep criticizing your team. Stop wishing others evil cos that evil will backfire on your team.
we are in another final😁
pitbmnors
1
they are already out its just time
United fans still find a way to talk on forums while their team keeps going down. You're not fighting for the title, you're not in the UCL anymore and even out of Top 4. You guys should just rest and keep criticizing your team. Stop wishing others evil cos that evil will backfire on your team.
datantuy
1
How childish and smallish of Rio Ferdinand , Bayern Munich is not Harry Kane .Forget about Harry Kane .Serge Gnabry was also an Arsenal player , but was not good enough for Arsenal. Harry Kane is currently the best English striker who grace the English soccer pitches, for poor Rio Ferdinand that is very hard to digest if Harry wins with Bayern and he realy deserves it.
InnocentTeddy
0
where is your own useless club? I thought they started the UCL with Man Utd 😂
trophyless again😅😅
Mukhtari
1
i know my club is down bt continue hyping ur fucking team
nah! the most overhyped and useless players are all at United.. your club should be competing with the big boys at the top with the wages they are being payed, but they prefer to happily languish in mid table like a small club, I'll pick Fulham, Brighton, Newcastle ahead of overhyped United
InnocentTeddy
2
where is your own useless club? I thought they started the UCL with Man Utd 😂
i know my club is down bt continue hyping ur fucking team
Mukhtari
0
they are already out its just time
where is your own useless club? I thought they started the UCL with Man Utd 😂
InnocentTeddy
3
they are already out its just time