Arsenal cult hero backing Gunners to prevail in huge Champions League clash

Arsenal's season hangs on a knife edge heading into the final weeks of the campaign, and next up is their massive Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid.

The Gunners have seen their quadruple ambitions go up in flames in the last month, but still have a chance of silverware in the Premier League and Europe as they look to win the Champions League for the first time in their history. 

Having reached the final four last season, Mikel Arteta's side are looking to make only their second appearance in the final, following defeat to Barcelona in 2006, and have been backed to see off Spanish opposition this time around by a former club cult hero. 

Perry Groves was part of two title-winning sides during his time in North London, and the fan favourite believes that given how the competition has fallen, this would have been the semi-path Arsenal would have chosen. 

"If you were in the semi-final,  Atletico would be the team that you would pick, let's be honest," Groves exclusively told DAZN News thanks to HFM.

"They are a bit different this season. Under Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid have been known for being very stoic, defensive-minded and hit teams. This is a bit of a different Atletico Madrid side. They're not as defensive-minded.

"They do press a lot more than they used to. That leaves them open. But the big threat, obviously, is Julian Alvarez up front, he's a world-class player.

"But they leave themselves open for the counter-attack and open at the back. It's going to be tight. Don't get me wrong.

"It's not going to be like an NBA basketball game. But I would fancy Arsenal to go through that on a tight margin. Maybe drawing away, winning 2-1 at home." 

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Arsenal have already beaten Simone's team this season, cruising to a 4-0 win in the league phase, and they remain unbeaten this season in Europe, with the chance of creating history at the club. 

And Groves believes that despite boasting some of the world's best players in their ranks right now, this Gunners team won't be spoken about in the same breath as previous sides until they win something.

Adding, "At the moment, these players can't be classed as legends because they haven't won anything. As good as what they are. 

"But if you want to be talked in the same breath as the 89 side, the iconic game up at Liverpool, the 1991 side, the nearly invincibles, then the double-winning side, 70-71,  the 98, 2002, the invincibles.

"You have to win one of these big ones. And once you've won one of the big ones, then you're in that conversation."
 

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