Arsenal behind three clubs in Champions League running, reckons two-time finalist

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Mikel Arteta hopes to win Arsenal’s first Champions League title this season (Picture: Getty Images) Arsenal are ‘one of the candidates’ to win the Champions League this season, but remain behind three other clubs in the running, according to a back-to-back finalist in the competition. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. ‘The Champions League is a very demanding competition but I think clubs at this level, they learn season by season and Arsenal are contenders,’ Mendieta told OLBG. ‘It’s early in the season, but with the new format, let’s see what happens.

PSG were immense last season (Picture: Getty Images) ‘Arsenal for me, have gained more experience and that brings a lot to clubs and for managers like Mikel Arteta, they can really have the desire to grow and improve on their mistakes. ‘Certainly they will have improved and this season they may be slightly lower than PSG, Real Madrid and Barca – but for me, they’re one of the candidates. ‘Arsenal did very well last year and were obviously unlucky coming up against PSG. Arsenal’s much improved strength in depth could see them get over the line this season where they have previously failed to under Arteta.

Gabriel Martinelli has been making a huge impact off the bench (Picture: Getty Images) ‘You need to have guys who come on who don’t think about being on the bench and cry about it. ‘The group winning is the most important thing.’ Six teams boast two wins from two so far in the Champions League group stage, with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, PSG and Arsenal among them. Arrow MORE: Rio Ferdinand names Arsenal star Mikel Arteta will be ‘thanking God’ he signed Arrow MORE: Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta tipped for Barcelona job with potential replacement named Arrow MORE: Gary Lineker makes new prediction for Arsenal’s £64m signing Viktor Gyokeres Football Newsletter – In The Mixer Your guide to the week in football.