Arsene Wenger names the 2 non-PL teams that will pose a threat to Arsenal's Champions League ambitions this season

Arsene Wenger has named Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain as the two teams outside England that pose a threat to Arsenal’s Champions League hopes this season. Wenger made the claim after the Gunners defeated Sparta Prague 3-0 on Tuesday night.

Mikel Arteta’s side are one of only two teams with a 100 percent record in the ongoing Champions League campaign, having won all four of their matches so far. They are also yet to concede a goal, underscoring their status as one of the favorites to win the trophy.

Elsewhere, Bayern are also in fine form, winning all their four games and currently sit atop the standings, having scored more goals than the Gunners. The Bavarians sent a warning to other Europe's big guns after ending PSG’s perfect start to the campaign with a 2-1 win at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday night.

Speaking to beIN Sports, Wenger believes Arsenal could go all the way and win their first UCL trophy but warned that Bayern and PSG could halt their progress.

“I would say they’re the two teams who can win the Champions League this season, outside England. One of the other teams of course could be Real Madrid but Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain, no one wonders in their league will they win their championship,” Wenger said. “Paris Saint-Germain will win the championship in France and Bayern have nearly already nearly won the championship in Germany, so their season of course will be in Europe. They will have to fight against the five teams in the Premier League, that will be very interesting. Paris Saint-Germain at the moment are not at their best, Real Madrid at Liverpool are fighting to be their best, then Bayern are in full power.”

Troy Deeney picks Arsenal and one other team as favorites to win this season’s Champions League

Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney seemingly echoed Wnger's sentiments, backing the Gunners and Bayern as favorites to lift the trophy in May 2026. Deeney initially had PSG among his favorites to lift the trophy but changed his prediction after they lost to Bayern.

He told CBS Sports:

“I think for all of us we said they would be in our top three – PSG, Bayern Munich and Arsenal. The rest after that is ever-evolving, week to week we could change it. I think we all said those three and then just how you would order them. “I would make the argument that Bayern after today [beating PSG] should be top, but I also think we could make a very good argument that Arsenal should be top, they’re top of both leagues, I’d argue it’s more competitive in the Premier League than it is in the Bundesliga. For Arsenal to be top, eight clean sheets in a row, you can make an argument for both teams but Bayern Munich are right up there.”

In what promised to be a battle for supremacy between the competition's top two teams, Arsenal and Bayern will face off on Matchday 5 of the UCL later this month.

Edited by Ezekiel Olamide