Hjulmand also hailed Arsenal’s performance so far in the Champions League and the Premier League.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Bayer Leverkusen manager, Kasper Hjulmand, has suggested that North London club Arsenal and Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich are the two favourites to win this season’s UEFA Champions League (UCL).
He made this known on Tuesday night during his post-match interview after Arsenal defeated Leverkusen 2-0 to progress to the quarter-finals of the elite European competition.
Goals from Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice in the Round of 16 second-leg tie at the Emirates Stadium ensured the Gunners booked their place after an initial 1-1 draw in the first leg in Germany.
Mikel Arteta’s team will now play Sporting CP, who beat Bodø/Glimt, in the Champions League last eight.
ALSO READ: Arsenal beat Leverkusen 2-0 to reach UCL quarter-final
Bayern Munich, on the other hand, have one leg in the quarter-finals after they thrashed Atalanta 6-1 in the Round of 16 first leg last week.
When asked if Arsenal can go all the way to win the Champions League this season, Hjulmand answered: “Yeah, I think they could.”
He went on to praise their performance so far in the competition and the Premier League. He, however, added that German champions Bayern Munich are joint favourites to win the trophy.
“You can see in the Premier League as well—their lead, the fewest goals against them, the highest number of goals scored—so it’s not a coincidence.
“But I also think Bayern. Bayern play a very different type of game. They do it differently, and they are at a very, very high level. I would say it’s head-to-head,” Hjulmand further said.
