Paul Merson believes Arsenal will be Manchester City's closest competitors for the Champions League

I think they're the team to beat. I think they're head and shoulders above everybody, in my opinion. I think the only thing that can beat them, really, for me, is the final, when it's a one-off game. But when you're playing over two legs, 180 minutes, I don't know anybody who's going to be able to mix it with them. I really don't. And I think they will take all the beating. I think when you look at Real Madrid, when they won it three times on the trot, I don't think it was as that much dominant as what you'd think Man City are now. Do you know what I mean? When you look at the teams like Bayern Munich, Arsenal, PSG... You mean they're well clear of the rest at the moment? Yeah, I don't think Real Madrid were that far clear of the rest. I mean, you had Barcelona, who was heads or tails. Here, I don't see heads or tails. You know, I think, for me, I think the danger would be Arsenal, I would say. Right. OK. You know, I just think Arsenal's group's a good group, I think, when it gets down to nitty-gritty over two legs. I just think over one leg, I just think that would be their own in Achilles' heel, Man City, because anything can happen in 90 minutes. I mean, just to pick up on Arsenal, though, you know, I mean, four favourites they are, but six years away, six years away from the Champions League. It's a very new environment for a lot of these players. Yeah, I think they've got good players. I think, you know, with Declan Rice coming in, I know he's not playing in the Champions League, but these are international pros. I mean, they played in big tournaments, you know, in European Championships, World Cups, which, you know, let's be honest, it's bigger than the Champions League, in my opinion. I hope it will keep on going how great it is. But for me, them two are bigger than that. I think they get through their group. I think they become a dangerous team when they get through the group. I think Arsenal are one of them teams you won't want to play, in my opinion. I think you get to the quarterfinals, last 16. I don't think you'd be happy if you drew Arsenal, you know, and that's why I think they've got a chance. I think with the other teams, you know, PSG have had a hundred times better players over the years and they've never looked like really winning it. And I don't see them winning it again this time around.