Former Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira has identified Bayern Munich as the primary favourite to win this season’s UEFA Champions League, positioning the German champions ahead of Arsenal in the European race.
Khedira, a former Germany international who won the Champions League with Real Madrid in 2017, expressed his view in an interview with the German publication Kicker. His assessment carries weight given his experience at the highest level of European club football.
Both Bayern Munich and Arsenal finished first and second respectively in the league phase of the reformed Champions League last month, securing direct passage to the round of 16. Bayern Munich will face Italian side Atalanta, while Arsenal are drawn against German club Bayer Leverkusen in the knockout stage.
Khedira pinpointed Bayern’s potential advantage in squad freshness as a decisive factor. “For me, it will be crucial that Bayern Munich go into the knockout phase reasonably rested,” he stated. “For me, they are the absolute number one, even ahead of Arsenal [to win the Champions League trophy this season].”
The comment highlights the perceived strength of Bayern’s domestic position. The team currently leads the Bundesliga table, which could allow manager Vincent Kompany to manage player workload ahead of the intense European knockout rounds. Arsenal, competing in a tighter Premier League title race, may face greater fixture congestion.
Khedira’s selection emphatically places Bayern at the head of the contenders, despite Arsenal’s impressive form this season. The former midfielder’s opinion reflects a common view that Bayern’s blend of experienced talent and recent domestic dominance makes them the benchmark in Europe.
The upcoming round of 16 fixtures in March will test both clubs’ credentials. Bayern’s tie against Atalanta presents a familiar tactical challenge, while Arsenal must overcome Leverkusen, the reigning German champions. The performance of both teams in these matches, and their ability to maintain momentum, will be closely examined against Khedira’s prediction.
Ultimately, Khedira’s stance underscores Bayern Munich’s status as the team to beat in the Champions League, framing the tournament’s second phase as a mission for Arsenal to disprove such assessments and mount their own credible challenge for the title.
