Bayer Leverkusen Executive Crowns Arsenal as Dual Title Favorites
Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has emphatically stated that Arsenal should be viewed as the frontrunners to secure both the Premier League and Champions League trophies this season. This declaration comes in the wake of Friday's Champions League draw, which paired the German side with the English giants for a highly anticipated last-16 showdown.
Champions League Draw Sets Stage for High-Stakes Encounter
The winner of the Arsenal versus Bayer Leverkusen tie will advance to face either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting CP in the quarter-finals. Arsenal's formidable form has been a key factor in Rolfes' assessment, as the North London club topped the Champions League league phase with a perfect record of eight victories. Additionally, Mikel Arteta's squad currently leads the Premier League by a significant five-point margin over Manchester City.
'I was delighted with the draw,' Rolfes commented. 'From a sporting perspective, both are obviously top opponents, but firstly, we're facing two of our former players in Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapie, and secondly, we're playing internationally. That's what you compete for in the Champions League.'
Praise for Arsenal's Evolution and Squad Quality
Rolfes elaborated on Arsenal's strengths, highlighting their continuous development and exceptional roster. 'They have an extremely good squad with a lot of physical but also technical quality, pace very well-coordinated and organised,' he noted. 'They've actually developed their style of play a little better every season over the last few years, which is why they're among the top favorite in the Champions League but also the Premier League. They're a top opponent but it's also fun to compete against such players.'
Emotional Reunions Add Narrative to Champions League Clash
The Champions League fixture will feature poignant reunions, as both Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapie are set to face their former club. Havertz, who joined Arsenal on loan last summer, previously departed Bayer Leverkusen for Chelsea during the COVID-19 pandemic, while Hincapie remains officially a Leverkusen player on loan.
Rolfes revealed ongoing contact with Havertz, stating, 'Yes, we are in contact sometimes, I've already texted him so I'm sure he'll need a lot of tickets as he comes from here, so there will certainly be contact.' He reflected on Havertz's departure, adding, 'And then it's also nice when he went to Chelsea during Covid, it was a big farewell for us, the whole transfer was the basis for the next few years and he really left something here. Because of Covid there was never the environment, the opportunity to say goodbye to him, even if we saw each other afterwards.'
The sporting director emphasized the special nature of the upcoming matches, saying, 'But now I think it's a very special setting for him to come back to the BayArena and for Piero [Hincapie] too, of course. He's still officially our player and is only on loan at the moment but it will come to the transfer and I think for Piero it's just as special too.'
As the football world anticipates this thrilling Champions League encounter, Rolfes' endorsement underscores Arsenal's dominant position in European and domestic competitions, setting the stage for a compelling narrative of former teammates clashing on the grandest stage.
