Former England manager Fabio Capello has backed Arsenal to return through their test against Paris Saint-Germain to succeed in this season’s Champions League final.
Arsenal were handed a frightening quarter-final draw against 15-time winners Real Madrid, but blew the holders away with a comprehensive 5-1 victory across the 2 legs to book their place within the last 4.
Declan Rice sent Mikel Arteta’s side on their way with a pair of breathtaking free-kicks in a 3-0 defeat of Madrid in north London, during which Mikel Merino also scored, before Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli netted in 2-1 win on the Bernabeu last week.
The last time the club reached the Champions League semi-finals was 16 years ago, when Arsene Wenger’s men were denied a shot on the title by Manchester United.
The Gunners have never won Europe’s premier competition, but got here mightily close in 2006, just for Barcelona to return from behind to beat them in a memorable final in Paris.
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Arsenal fans will return to the French capital for the second of their two encounters with Luis Enrique’s PSG, who survived a scare against Aston Villa to secure their progression.
Capello argued that the 2 teams were relatively evenly matched while previewing the eagerly anticipated semi-final on the Laureus World Sports Awards.
However the ex-England, Real Madrid and AC Milan boss believes Arsenal possess ‘something extra’ and should just edge it to succeed in this yr’s showpiece in Munich.
‘Arsenal have all of it: quality, balance on the pitch and good physical condition, like PSG for the time being,’ Capello said.
‘From that perspective, each teams are equal.
‘But I believe Arsenal have something extra at once: quality and physical strength.’
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Capello added: ‘Each teams have a excellent solidarity, but Arsenal have quite a lot of personality.
‘They play together, they work together. The pace of their matches may be very high.
‘It should be a excellent match, but when I needed to bet, I believe Arsenal shall be the higher team.’
Arsenal signalled their intent to Champions League’s remaining teams with their dismantling of Madrid – and Capello has been blown away by Arteta’s side.
‘I’ve never seen an English team play so well, other than City, who were different,’ he continued.
‘If we’re talking concerning the classic English style, not the Pep Guardiola style, I believe Arsenal play really, rather well, with technical qualities and physical strength.’
Arsenal will face either Barcelona or Inter Milan should they get the higher of PSG over the 2 legs.
Five-time winners Barca booked their spot in the ultimate 4 with victory over Borussia Dortmund within the quarter-finals, while Inter saw off Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich to advance through.
Who will win the Champions League?
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