Emmanuel Petit believes that Arsenal are now established at the top end of European football.
Mikel Arteta’s men ultimately fell short last season as they chased the Premier League title before Manchester City won out, but they have proved that their form was no fluke, by staying in the race once more this season.
They also remain in the Champions League after a tough two-legged tie with Porto, and are set to face Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
Bayern have struggled to impress under Thomas Tuchel this season, but their star striker Harry Kane remains in exceptional form.
Speaking to Compare.bet , Petit thought that Arsenal have now proved that they deserve to be in the conversation when it comes to being one of the best in Europe.
He said: “It’s a very open game, it’s going to be very interesting to see Harry Kane back at the Emirates. He just scored a hat-trick, I think he was injured at the weekend, but I don’t think it’s a big injury. I think Arsenal have something to prove against Bayern Munich. I think this is the next stage for them.
“They want to grow even more. The gap has been reduced with Manchester City and Liverpool, and now they can fight and look them in their eyes. Before, for the last few years, they were looking up, they were standing further up, Manchester City and Liverpool. Now they are on the same line and they’re looking straight in the eye.
“So this game for me, they are in the quarter-final, some people were saying that they are one of the favourites to win the Champions League. I think it’s too soon, but what they’re doing is the right way to grow, and to improve even more, and to fight against the best teams in Europe, which means Manchester City.
“So if they can fight and if they can look City in their eyes, why can’t they do that against Bayern Munich?”
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