Jeremie Aliadière: Arsenal can win the Champions League

It has been a dream season so far for Arsenal fans, and this week delivered another huge moment: a 3–1 win over Champions League contenders Bayern Munich at the Emirates. It was a statement victory, sealed by goals from Jurrien Timber, Noni Madueke, and Gabriel Martinelli, with standout performances from Timber and Declan Rice. We caught up with former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadière to reflect on the performance and what it means for Mikel Arteta’s side moving forward.

Arsenal can win the Champions League

Arsenal vs Bayern Munich had been billed as a showdown between two of Europe’s most exciting sides - a pre-festive heavyweight clash on a cold night in North London. The first half lived up to the anticipation. Arsenal asserted early control and opened the scoring through Timber, who was one of the best performers on the pitch.

As the half wore on, Bayern began to find pockets of space behind Myles Lewis-Skelly, and that shift eventually led to their equaliser through teenage sensation Lennart Karl. However, goals from Madueke and Martinelli sealed the win in a second half where Arsenal upped the tempo, played higher, and removed the handbrake entirely.

For Aliadière, it was the kind of performance that gives Arsenal every reason to believe they can go all the way in Europe.

“I do believe Arsenal can win the Champions League. It’s the game everyone was waiting for. Yesterday with the new format didn’t feel like such a big game to win. Yeah it’s a Champions League game and yeah it’s Bayern Munich, but I do feel the new system has killed the importance of the game.”

“But it’s a great result and performance for the team. They put a strong team out there. Didn’t rotate much and it was great. In the first 25 minutes it didn’t feel like the Arsenal we are used to. We let Bayern Munich have the ball and were happy to defend and exploit them on the counter.”

“Once we scored the game opened up and that gave Olive more space on the right against Myles (Lewis-Skelly) and that’s where their goal came from. At half time I think Arsenal went to play on the front foot and played higher up and from there it was all Arsenal.”

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Declan Rice: the heartbeat of Arsenal’s season

One of the biggest reasons behind Arsenal’s exceptional start is Declan Rice, who has become the heartbeat of the team. When Arsenal paid £100 million for him, some questioned whether any defensive-minded midfielder could justify that fee. Alas, Rice’s impact has been undeniable, and his set-piece delivery has been a massive weapon for Arteta this season, and Aliadière believes Rice is operating at a world-class level.

“I think Declan Rice is amazing and I can’t think of many other midfield players who do what he does. He’s a box-to-box midfielder so he does defend but he also attacks and makes late runs into the box.”

“He scores goals and his set-piece delivery is superb. It’s just perfection. The corners and free kicks are always at the perfect time. The way he whips the ball is just insane. Rice is up there with the best midfielders in the world.”

Jurrien Timber: the best right back in the world?

Another standout performer on the night was Jurrien Timber, whose long-awaited return from injury has added new depth and maturity to Arsenal’s defence.

When we asked Aliadière about Timber’s performance and where he ranks among Europe’s full-backs, the Frenchman claims Timber is the best right back in the world.

“I don’t think there’s a better right-back in the world than Timber. When he first joined the club I thought he was a good signing and then he got injured straight away. I worried if his Arsenal career was over because I know how tough it is to come back from such a big injury.”

“But he’s been great since he got back and I know a lot of people prefer their full-backs to attack but for me he’s good at attacking but he’s also strong at defending. He rarely gets beaten in a 1 vs 1 and he makes the right choice on the ball. When it comes to physical and technical ability and then his decision making I don’t think there’s anyone better.”

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