Roy Keane makes bold Champions League prediction involving Arsenal and Barcelona
Image credit: Getty Images
Roy Keane believes the 2024 UEFA Champions League final is destined to be a blockbuster showdown between Arsenal and Barcelona, following both clubs’ impressive quarter-final victories.
Arsenal secured a historic 5-1 aggregate win over reigning champions Real Madrid to book their place in the semi-finals for the first time in 16 years. Meanwhile, Barcelona saw off Borussia Dortmund — last season’s runners-up — to advance to the final four.
The Gunners are now set to face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals, with the first leg taking place at the Emirates Stadium next Tuesday. On the other side of the bracket, Barcelona will take on Inter Milan for a spot in the final.
READ MORE: Arsenal star has already decided to leave this summer
Despite PSG eliminating two Premier League sides already — Liverpool and Aston Villa — and entering the clash with momentum, Keane believes Arsenal will come through and set up a repeat of the iconic 2006 final in Paris.
Freddie Ljungberg on the 2006 UEFA Champions League final: “For me, that’s still the biggest disappointment in my career. I felt with that team, we should have won it.
“When you meet old players from Real Madrid or Barcelona, they often say, ‘You didn’t win with THAT team, I… pic.twitter.com/76lO3jYVXr
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) April 11, 2024
“Arsenal v Barcelona final, it’s got it written all over it,” the Manchester United legend said on the Stick to Football podcast. Reflecting on Arsenal’s performance against Madrid, Roy Keane added: “How crazy were Real? Just booting everybody, weren’t they? They were just diving in, dragging people down — getting no momentum. That was stopping them from getting momentum!”
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NOW ARSENAL WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!
Arsenal legend Ian Wright also voiced his optimism, insisting Mikel Arteta’s side are genuine contenders for the European crown after dismantling a club built to dominate this competition.
“We’re talking about the quarter-finals, Real Madrid — a team that is built simply to win this competition — and we beat them,” Wright said. “Why shouldn’t we be happy about that? 5-1 over two legs — you can’t play that down. You have to think they can win it.”
However, Wright warned that PSG pose a different threat than earlier in the campaign, adding: “I know that PSG haven’t beaten them before, but that’s a different PSG. And I think Arsenal are different from the time they played that time.”
NEXT ARTICLE: Manchester City legend gives Bukayo Saka a huge compliment ahead of PSG clash
