Robben: Arsenal’s Target Is The Quarters, Ours is Always The Final


Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben has aimed a slight dig at Arsenal after the two teams were paired together in Monday’s Champions League last 16 draw.

Arsene Wenger’s side were handed a tough draw despite topping Group A with Bayern having finished as runners-up to Atletico Madrid.

The German giants knocked Arsenal out at this stage of the competition in 2013 and 2014 and also finished ahead of them in the group stages last season.

The Gunners will be hoping to make it past the round of 16 for the first time since 2009/10 but Robben feels his side have greater ambitions than Wenger’s men.

“For them, the pressure is to make it to the quarter-final for the first time in many years,” he told ESPN FC.

“Our target is always the final. But this draw doesn’t make it easy [for either team].”

Despite his words Robben thinks the Gunners have improved this season and is expecting a tough test when the two times meet in February.

“We’ve played them a few times over the last few years and always won – we always got through to the next round – but maybe this one will be the toughest one so far,” he added.

“We have happy memories [from past meetings], but happy memories don’t take you to the next round.

“They are a very strong team – even stronger than last year. They’re doing very well in the Premier League.”

While Arsenal will have wanted to avoid Bayern this early in the competition, Carlo Ancelotti’s side are yet to really find their best form this season and Arsenal can go into the game with confidence, and the knowledge they beat the same opposition 2-0 at the Emirates last season