Barça & Madrid favourites to win Champions League, claims Wenger
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid are the favourites to win the Champions League this season – because they can rest their best players more than Premier League clubs.
The French tactician refused to rule out the likes of Manchester United and others, but admitted that keeping your best players injury-free is key to having a good run in all competitions.
In an exclusive interview with Eurosport, Wenger revealed how Arsenal lost out on silverware last season due to not having their ‘full potential’ on the pitch.
“These are two teams [Barcelona and Real Madrid] that have the most potential. I wouldn’t rule out anyone though, especially not Manchester United. I would add that the Spanish clubs will win their matches more easily than the Premier League as they can rest their players.
“You need to have your best players available between March and May, at a time when you can lose or win all the trophies in a week.
“Last year we played 27 matches between December and February, everyone was available between March and May, when we needed our full potential, we didn’t have it.”
Wenger’s side play their first Champions League group game against Borussia Dortmund next Tuesday, with the likes of Olympiakos and Marseille to follow in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned to Gooner Talk for all the latest Arsenal news, including injury updates and interviews from around the Gunners’ squad.
Kudos to Tahsin Bazzi for translation of the quotes.
barcelona and united defo favourites. cant see anyone beating barca this season, amazing team.
common wenger a little positivity is what we need now!!
He’s stating fact, not being negative..the bookmakers have barca as favourites and Madrid as 2nd favourites
Wenger always finds an excuse… We should buy some more… team doctors, perhaps?
Defeatist attitude! No wonder his players can’t respond to him!!!!
There’s always one looking for an excuse to put the boot in…We should be more supportive…like supporters, perhaps?
athlon = tosser.
weve got a big chance in the cl this season, i think we could go far
No fucking wonder,those Spanish cunts just keep bying every decent player without having the money.Barca bitched all summer how they only had 65 mil euros in their transfer pot,65 mil euro are you fucking kidding me.ASAP,after having secured Cesc for something equivalent of 2 pound fifty shoppping in Tesco they raise his release clause tp a staggering 150 mil euro,so he wasnt worth it after all,spanish pricks.
Although Barcelona is the favorite, I hope Madrid can stop them in all the classicos. A dynasty is a bad thing.
Arsenal, I hope they can survive the group stages.
I think Man city can do it. because almost all their players have the same amount of quality, easier for them to rotate their players and still win the game.
Barca tried to rotate on Saturday and it backfired on them! They were very fortunate last season as apart from Puyol they didn’t have many injuries!