Arsenal legend Ray Parlour says the Gunners locking out Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final first leg will be key to them progressing, and has backed Mikel Arteta’s speedy attack to be the difference for his side.
David Raya’s penalty heroics in the previous round against Porto set up a tie with Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich, with Arsenal playing the first leg at home.
Parlour, who was part of the invincibles team of 2003-04, is backing his former club to score in the away leg but says keeping a clean sheet at home should be the immediate priority.
“It’s a nightmare really, it couldn’t have been a worse draw,” he told sport.netbet.co.uk as part of his role as an ambassador.
“Even if you get past Bayern Munich, to get Man City or Real Madrid in the semi-final, they’re going to have to earn it if they’re going to reach the final.
“Arsenal have a lot of pace up front which they need to use to hurt them. They’ll definitely score away from home, but they need to try and keep a clean sheet at home, try to score a couple of goals and start quickly.
“But Bayern have a lot of experience. Muller, Goretzka in midfield and Sane on the right-hand side as well. It should be a cracking game, likewise Real and Man City. Let’s see if Bellingham can score against Man City.”
England captain Kane has scored 32 goals in 28 league games for Bayern this season, as well as six in eight in the Champions League, and Parlour says keeping him quiet will be also be pivotal if Arsenal are to progress.
“He’s gone to Bayern and smashed it to pieces which is a lot easier, because the defenders aren’t really that good, but you always have to worry about him,” he said.
