Wenger: Barca, Real are UCL favourites

Posted Tuesday, December 06, 2011 by ESPN

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits La Liga duo Barcelona and Real Madrid remain favourites to win the UEFA Champions League this season.

Nonetheless, he is quietly confident that his team have what it takes to challenge for the prestigious title.

Arsenal are guaranteed of a place in the knockout round ahead of Tuesday's Group F tie against Olympiacos, and despite the Gunners firing on all cylinders in Europe this season, Wenger is under no illusions that his side are anywhere close to Barca and Real.

"At the moment I would say in Europe there are two super favourites - Barcelona and Real Madrid," Wenger said on Arsenal's official website.

"Behind them, everyone else can hope to win and we will try to win.

"At the moment, we are not one of the favourites but one advantage we have is that we have finished top of our group."

Having fallen at the first knockout round last season at the hands of Barcelona, Wenger insists there is an element of luck involved in the draw, and is hopeful his side get handed a favourable tie.

"From now, it becomes a cup competition," Wenger added.

"The Champions League becomes different when you go into the last 16, it is more open.

"You need a bit of luck in the draw and you need to have your players available in the two games."

Following a slow start on the domestic front, Arsenal have also started firing in the Barclays Premier League, and are now up to fifth following Saturday's 4-0 win at Wigan.