Micah Richards backs Premier League club to win Champions League

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Premier League leaders Arsenal, who topped the Champions League group phase, face German side Bayer Leverkusen for a place in the quarter-finals. Arsenal have yet to win the Champions League but Richards believes that will be rectified by Mikel Arteta’s side over the next two months.

I don’t think it’s wrong for people to pick that out but I also don’t think it’s right for people to be negative and say Arsenal don’t play good football. ‘The objective at the end of the season is to win the league, who cares how you get over the line? ‘They’re top of the Premier League and I think Arsenal are the favourites for the Champions League because I think it will suit them more than the domestic games. ‘In the Champions League the games might get a little bit more stretched whereas in the Premier League everyone is going to that low block against them. ‘I thought Man City would have the capabilities to break teams down more than Arsenal in the Premier League but it’s not working out like that. ‘Arsenal are getting some criticism but if they win the league, who cares how they do it? The objective is to win trophies and it’s as simple as that.’ Arsenal are still in all four competitions (Picture: Getty) Former England star Joe Cole has also backed Arsenal to lift the Champions League trophy despite some unconvincing performances in the Premier League.

Arteta’s side appear to be in the weaker half of the Champions League draw and Cole believes that gives Arsenal the edge to win the competition for the first time. They cannot blow it… or can they? ‘Arsenal fans, book your tickets for Budapest, in my opinion.’ After travelling to Germany on Wednesday to face Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie, Arsenal return to Premier League action at the weekend against Everton.