Former Premier League star Joleon Lescott has named Bayern Munich the favourites to win the Champions League this season ahead of Arsenal.
The Gunners have taken an early lead in the Premier League title race as they chase down their first domestic crown in 21 years.
Arsenal have never won the Champions League but stand perhaps their best chance of ending that wait this term.
In Europe, Mikel Arteta’s side fell just short last season, beaten by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals.
Arsenal have won four out of four so far this term, still to concede a goal in Europe having swept aside Athletic Club, Olympiacos, Atletico Madrid and Slavia Prague so far.
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Bayern Munich laid down a huge marker of their own on Tuesday however, beating the reigning champions in Paris. Bayern were reduced to 10 men just before half-time with Luis Diaz dismissed but held on to secure a priceless victory in the French capital.
Former Manchester City star Lescott says Arsenal are ‘as good as anyone’ on their day but suggests there are still some question marks over whether they can maintain their current levels over the course of the season.
With Bayern looking fearsome, Lescott believes it will be his old teammate Vincent Kompany lifting the trophy in May.
‘When they’re on form they’re as good as anyone, it’s just about finding consistency throughout the season, which they lacked last season, listen, they’ve been the favourites for a number of years and rightly so.’ Lescott told In The Mixer.
‘But you can’t look past Bayern Munich and what Vinny [Vincent Kompany] is doing there.
‘You’ve got to look at them being the favourites.’
Arsenal will host Bayern at the Emirates on 26 November in a meeting between the top two sides in the initial league phase of the competition.
The German giants have scored 14 times in their opening four matches, three more than Arsenal.
Having watched his side get outplayed by Bayern this week, PSG boss Luis Enrique is convinced Bayern have surpassed his own side to stand as the best in Europe.
‘At 11 against 11, Bayern were stronger [than us], without a doubt,’ Enrique said after PSG lost 2-1 to the Bundesliga champions on Tuesday.
‘You play against the best team in Europe, with the best results, and they pressed us at a high level.’
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