Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder and football pundit Jamie O'Hara has sparked debate by suggesting Arsenal's run to the Champions League final was aided by a favorable draw. Speaking to Sky Sports, O'Hara acknowledged the Gunners' achievement but questioned the caliber of teams they faced along the way.
Arsenal secured their place in the Champions League final for the first time in two decades after defeating Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the second leg of their semi-final. They will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the showpiece event. However, O'Hara believes the path to the final was not as challenging as it could have been.
"Against whom did they play?" O'Hara asked rhetorically. He was particularly critical of Atletico Madrid's performance in the decisive match, describing them as "terrible" on the night. While he conceded that Arsenal has the ability to make opponents look poor, he maintained that the Spanish side simply wasn't good enough.
The pundit did give credit to Arsenal for their victories over established European giants. He specifically highlighted their wins against Inter Milan and Bayern Munich as genuine accomplishments. However, he characterized the rest of their victories as "expected," implying they were against lesser opposition.
O'Hara proceeded to list the teams Arsenal faced in the competition, including Athletic Bilbao, Olympiacos, Atletico Madrid (three times), Slavia Prague, Club Brugge, and Kairat. He also pointed out that Bayer Leverkusen and Sporting CP were "not good enough" during their encounters with the North London club.
The core of O'Hara's argument centered on Arsenal winning their group, which he believes set them up for a more manageable knockout stage bracket. He suggested this advantageous positioning was a form of luck that played a significant role in their progression to the final.
Despite the criticism, Arsenal's achievement is historic. The club will now prepare for their first Champions League final since 2006, where they will meet a formidable PSG side. The debate over the strength of their path will likely continue, but their place in the final is secured.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.