Champions League: Merson names team he wants Arsenal to avoid in quarter-final

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has named the one team he doesn’t want his former club to face in the Champions League knockout stages.

The Gunners have all but booked their slot in the quarter-finals, having hammered PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in their first-leg last-16 clash last week.

Mikel Arteta’s men have been drawn to take on either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the last eight.

Should Arsenal overcome one of the Madrid clubs, they would be set for a battle with Paris Saint-Germain, Aston Villa, or Club Brugge in the semi-finals.

If they progress to the final, they could play Barcelona, Bayern Munich, or Inter Milan – who are all on the other side of the draw.

When quizzed on how far Arsenal will go in this year’s Champions League knockout phase, Merson told Sky Sports:

“I think it depends on who wins out of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

“I think if Atletico Madrid win, Arsenal have a bit of a chance.

“I think that’ll be a tight game. Atletico Madrid don’t blow anybody away – they play a certain style of football.

“But if they play against Real Madrid, I don’t know if they’re going to be able to live with them in terms of goalscoring over two legs, especially with the players that are out for Arsenal.”

Champions League: Merson names team he wants Arsenal to avoid in quarter-final