BARCELONA could tear Arsenal apart in the Champions League.
That is the view of Gunners icon , who is now .
Arsenal will struggle to win the Champions League this season, says Paul MersonCredit: Getty
The Gunners were well beaten by Manchester City in the second half of the Carabao Cup final on SundayCredit: Getty
in the Carabao Cup final, surrendering after a strong opening 30 minutes.
And Merson believes that it opened up cracks which other sides could take advantage of to potentially ruin a largely brilliant season for ‘s side.
He wrote for Sky Sports : “Watching that game and that second half, I don’t see Arsenal winning anything else but the Premier League.
“Man City are still in the . Watching that game, you’d be shocked if went back to and beat them.
“And then in the , I look at – who Arsenal are on course to play in the semi-finals – and Arsenal haven’t got the pace to trouble Barcelona’s high line.
“The forward players aren’t electric – they’re not like or who caused Barcelona problems in the last 16.
“I dread to think what Barcelona could do to Arsenal.”
‘s men are four points clear in their own title fight after a 15th straight home LaLiga win in a row on Sunday.
They could face Barcelona in the UCL semisCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
And Barca are on a storming runCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
and have one of the most dangerous frontlines around.
With Arsenal still competing to complete a potential treble plenty is at stake over the next two months.
And Merson can still see Arteta lifting a trophy in May despite missing out on a first piece of silverware since 2020 in this final.
He said: “Man City turned up in the second half of the final and absolutely gave Arsenal a footballing lesson at the highest level.
“For 25 minutes of the second half, no one at Arsenal wanted the ball.
“They were booting the ball away, just kicking it back to City. And City destroyed them, absolutely destroyed them.
“It’s a sore one for Arsenal. It’s a confidence-sapping defeat because you come in the dressing room after that and think: ‘Oh my God, we just got destroyed in the second half.’
“Will it impact the Premier League? , so they will beat those teams.”
, who came from 3-0 down to beat Bodo/Glimt in the last-16, in the quarters to set up that blockbuster tie.
, and will face Atletico over two legs.
‘s team are also Barca’s next league opponents.
It means three of the next four games for Flick will be against the same opposition.
Barca played Madrid twice in the Copa del Rey semi-finals earlier this year as well, losing the first leg 4-0 away before mounting a comeback at home, winning 3-0 but going out.
The Catalan giants are the third favourites for the competition behind Arsenal and .
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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