Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that English clubs are getting closer to the elite sides in Europe but says Real Madrid look to be the most dangerous team in the Champions League.
Arsenal have already secured their passage to the last-16 of the Champions League this season with two games of the group stages to go, so now they are only fighting for top spot ahead of Paris Saint-Germain.
Usually, the Gunners finish second in their group and end up with an almighty challenge in the last-16 against either Bayern Munich or Barcelona.
However, Wenger believes that English clubs are getting closer to the level of the elite teams from around Europe, except for Real Madrid, who they could potentially face in the next round.
When asked in his pre-match press conference if this is the most open Champions League season in a while, Wenger said: “Yes. I must say that I watched Real Madrid against Atletico Madrid on Saturday and I was impressed by them. They looked at the moment to be the most dangerous side.”
And in terms of English clubs competing with Europe’s elite, the Frenchman thinks the gap has closed.
“I feel that, yes,” he told reporters during Tuesday’s press conference. “For example, Man City winning against Barcelona. We have an opportunity to show it against Paris Saint Germain. But before the Champions League game was the one you had to prepare for. Today, the Premier League game is the game you have to prepare for.
“Everywhere you go, the difference in the Champions League is that the teams all play football. In the Premier League, even if you have 80 per cent possession, you can still lose the game. The pressure on the Premier League games is today massive.”
The Gunners face Ligue 1 champions PSG in their fifth group stage game on Wednesday evening knowing that a win could secure first place in Group A.
It could mean that they would potentially miss playing Barcelona, Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund in the next round but a tie against Bayern Munich or Real Madrid is very possible.
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