Arsenal among 'top two or three' Champions League teams 'on ability' and can challenge Manchester City - Michael Owen

Michael Owen believes Arsenal are among the "two or three" strongest sides in this year’s Champions League based “on ability” and has tipped them to challenge holders Manchester City for the trophy.

Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus were on target for the Gunners as they returned to winning ways against Sevilla on Tuesday.

Mikel Arteta’s side took all three points back to North London following their 2-1 win in Spain, which puts them top of Group B.

After the game, TNT Sports pundit Owen claimed Arsenal were in the “top two or three” teams in the competition, but feels a lack of experience could be a challenge for them this campaign.

“I think this Arsenal team, on ability and on what they do week to week, are one of, if not Manchester City’s biggest challenge in this competition,” he told TNT Sports. “I think they’re that good.

“But the problem is, and as Man City have shown, the very good teams in a league, if it’s your first time in the competition, it can take you a long time to understand it and to get past the experienced teams.

“I think that’s what Arsenal might find this season. As I say, on ability, I think they’re the second or third best team in it. Can I see them going all the way based on this inexperience? Possibly, it’s their first season, it’s a massive ask. But they’re good enough, ability-wise.”

Former Gunners defender Martin Keown was more reserved about Arsenal's chances of lifting the Champions League trophy for the first time but was thrilled with the way they beat Sevilla.

“When you come into this tournament, it is experience [that you need],” he explained. “This group is growing, being nurtured by the manager, and it’s step by step.

“I think their understanding from the last away game, they were massively better here. All the early battles, the early challenges. They were really up for it at the start which really pleased me.

“They lost control of the game, but they hung in there and got a result.”

Arsenal return to the Emirates for their next Champions League game, where they last thumped PSV Eindhoven 4-0.

They’ll face Sevilla again where victory would put them within touching distance of qualification to the last 16, before hosting Lens and then concluding their Group B matches with a trip to PSV.

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.