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Pundit Micah Richards has predicted the outcome of a potential meeting between Arsenal and Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League this season. Both sides progressed from their respective Round of 16 ties after strong second leg performances in front of their fans. <\/p>\n
Richards spoke on The Rest is Football podcast alongside Alan Shearer, sharing his thoughts on the Gunners’ potential route to the Champions League title. He predicted that the Premier League leaders would trounce their Spanish counterparts due to their extreme high line normally deployed by La Blaugrana. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Thanks for the submission!\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/template><\/p>\n \u201cArsenal would beat Barcelona. If Barcelona play that high line then Arsenal would absolutely batter them. If they take it back five yards, Barcelona could absolutely batter them. Martinelli, 100 per cent, would absolutely love to play against that without doubt. Even Gyokeres, he\u2019s not the quickest but he\u2019s a strong runner, all his goals before at Sporting, that\u2019s what he used to do, so I think if they play a high line against Arsenal, Arsenal would absolutely batter them”, he said (via Football365).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n <\/template><\/p>\n Mikel Arteta’s side claimed a 3-1 aggregate victory over Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in their Round of 16 ties to book a quarterfinal clash against Sporting Club. La Blaugrana were aided by an explosive second leg showing in which they won 7-2 against Newcastle United to progress 8-3 on aggregate. They will face fellow LaLiga side Atletico Madrid in the last eight. <\/p>\n Arteta, who began his football journey at the La Masia academy, is on course to face his boyhood club in the semi-final of the Champions League this season. Hansi Flick’s side have tasted defeat to an English side already this season, with Chelsea handing them a 3-0 thrashing in the league phase. Their high-risk system is often exploited by teams, and Richards is confident that they will not survive against the Gunners. <\/p>\n European giants Arsenal and Barcelona are among a number of sides looking to sign Bayer Leverkusen youngster Christian Kofane in the summer, as per reports. The Cameroon international has impressed in his debut campaign in the Bundesliga, leading to interest from around Europe. <\/p>\n Sports Boom has revealed (via The Hard Tackle) that the Gunners, who have witnessed Kofane’s abilities first-hand, are keeping close tabs on the 19-year-old striker. Similarly, reigning Spanish champions La Blaugrana are also in for the teenager as they continue to search for a replacement for Robert Lewandowski. <\/p>\n Kofane, who joined Bayer Leverkusen from Albacete last summer, is also a target for Chelsea and Real Madrid. The young striker could cost around \u20ac60-70 million after a strong year in Germany, and is regarded as a top prospect in European football. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Arsenal, Barcelona eyeing move for Bayer Leverkusen sensation: Reports<\/h2>\n