Champions League

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      Chelsea fans say ‘he’s done more to protect our European legacy than the club’ as legend hands Arsenal horror CL tie

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      CHELSEA fans have been left thanking John Obi Mikel after the Champions League quarter-final draw.The Blues legend pulled out the eight teams as each club found out their route to the final. John Obi Mikel handed Arsenal a nightmare drawCredit: EPAMikel, 36, paired up Arsenal and Bayern Munich in the last eight.With the winner then set to play either Manchester City or Real Madrid in the semi-final.It is a very tough draw for the Gunners and Chelsea fans are confident their record of being the last English and only London club to lift the Champions League trophy will remain intact.One supporter said: “Mikel put more fight in than the club to protect our European legacy. If Arsenal win it from this point nobody can say they didn’t deserve it.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnother added: “The moment when he pull out arsenal first, he had different smile.”A third wrote: “Chelsea legend doing the business again.”Mikel and former team-mate John Terry have both done Champions League draws this season and it is the West London club’s only appearance in Europe this season. Chelsea finished last season in 12th and are on course to be missing from Uefa competitions next term as they currently sit 11th in the table.Most read in Champions LeagueCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVALThey could’ve qualified for the Conference League if they beat Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final last month. Elsewhere in the Champions League draw, Atletico Madrid play Borussia Dortmund. Porto boss Sergio Conceicao claims Mikel Arteta made horror insult during last-16 clash and blasts result as ‘unjust’The winner will then meet PSG or Barcelona in the last four. More

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      Route to Champions League Final: Who could Arsenal and Man City face in semi-final & final?

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      THE route to the Champions League final for Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester City has been revealed.Mikel Arteta’s side will take on German champions Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, while Pep Guardiola’s Treble winners face European kings Real Madrid.David Raya was the hero for Arsenal in the penalty shootout victory over PortoCredit: GETTYManchester City breezed past Copenhagen over two legs in the last-16Credit: GETTYArsenal are hoping this year is the year they lift their first-ever European Cup in the club’s long history.Man City are looking to become the first team to claim back-to-back Champions League triumphs since Real Madrid’s stunning dominance from 2015 to 2018.But what must the two English giants do to reach the latter rounds of this year’s Champions League?What is Arsenal and Man City’s route to the Champions League final?Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich will take place on either the 9th or 10th of April at the Emirates.read more in champions leagueThe return leg at the Allianz Arena is set for the 16th or 17th of April.Meanwhile, Man City will travel to Real Madrid in the first leg before hosting the 14-time Champions League winners at the Etihad.If Arsenal and Man City win their respective quarter-final ties, the two Premier League titans will face off in the semi-final.The semi-finals of the Champions League will be held on April 30 and May 1, with the second legs on May 7-8.Most read in Champions LeagueOne of Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, PSG or Barcelona will be the potential opponents for the two English giants in the final should either side progress the last stage.The Champions League final will take place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, June 1.Champions League draw in fullQuarter-finals (April 9/10 and April 16/17)Arsenal vs Bayern MunichAtletico Madrid vs Borussia DortmundReal Madrid vs Manchester CitySemi-finals (April 30/May 1 and May 7/8)Arsenal/Bayern vs Real Madrid/Manchester CityAtletico/Dortmund vs PSG/BarcelonaREAD MORE SUN STORIESFinal (June 1)Arsenal/Bayern/Real Madrid/Manchester City vs Atletico/Dortmund/ PSG/Barcelona More

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      Bayern Munich BANNED from bringing fans to Emirates in huge advantage for Arsenal in Champions League quarter-final

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      ARSENAL were handed a horror Champions League quarter final draw against Bayern Munich – but already have a massive advantage in their first leg at the Emirates.The Gunners will welcome former Tottenham striker Harry Kane back to North London for the first leg before a mammoth test away in Munich to book a semi-final spot.Arsenal will renew their Champions League rival with Bayern Munich next monthCredit: PAThe Gunners will be boosted by the news that Bayern WON’T have any of their supporters in attendance at the EmiratesCredit: RICHARD PELHAMThe Germans have been slapped with a one-match fan ban for letting off fireworks against Lazio in the last-16Credit: AlamyHowever, the German giants will NOT have any away fans at the Emirates for the first leg having received a Uefa one-match ban earlier this week for fan trouble.During their 1-0 first leg defeat away at Lazio in the last-16, travelling Bayern fans threw fireworks onto the pitch. They would eventually win 3-1 on aggregate to advance.Having already received a suspended one-match ban – as well as a £30k fine – for an identical incident in the group stages at Copenhagen in October, Uefa were left with no choice but to impose the ban.This leaves Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal with a massive chance to take advantage in their first leg with a semi-final against either Real Madrid or Manchester City on the horizon.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe away end at the Emirates will also be free to be filled instead by more home fans, meaning the possibility of the 60,000-capacity stadium being a sell-out without any travelling supporters.After receiving the ban on Tuesday, Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said: “We have to accept this punishment. “Not only were pyrotechnics set off, but also fired deliberately onto the field, directly endangering bystanders.“This was such an explicit violation of the conditions of probation that an appeal is unfortunately futile.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERArsenal have historically struggled against the German giantsCredit: GETTY“The fact we now have to play away without the support of our fans is a big blow. “A small group of individual offenders have done a disservice to all our supporters and the team.”Thomas Muller hilariously calls out Kai Havertz as Arsenal draw Bayern Munich in Champions League Arsenal’s quarter final first leg will take place on either the ninth or tenth of April, with the second leg coming a week later on either the 16th or 17th.Arteta’s men reached this stage after beating Porto in a nervy last-16 shoot-out at the Emirates – the first time they have reached the last eight since 2010.Elsewhere in the quarters, Atletico Madrid face Borussia Dortmund and PSG play Barcelona. More

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      Champions League draw LIVE: Latest reaction as Arsenal face Bayern and Man City meet Real Madrid – latest updates

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      ARSENAL and Manchester City have been handed HORROR Champions League quarter-final ties.Harry Kane will return to London as Arsenal have been drawn against Bayern – a team they have never beaten in the knockout stages and lost 10-2 on aggregate when they last met in 2017.Man City also have a tough couple of nights in the coming weeks with Jude Bellingham and Real Madrid to visit during the last-eight.Should both English clubs win their quarter-final draws they will then MEET in a potential all-English semi-final.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSupercomputer predicts quarter-finals
      A supercomputer predicts that Arsenal will beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals.
      Statisticians at BETSiE have used their supercomputer to guess the outcomes of the Champions League.
      They have simulated matches 100,000 and believe Mikel Arteta’s side have a 51.51 per cent chance of beating Bayern.
      Arsenal will play the winner of Manchester City versus Real Madrid in the semi-final. And the algorithm reckons that they have a 25.75 per cent probability of making the final at Wembley.
      Man City supposedly have 59.76 per cent chance of victory in their glamour tie against Real Madrid in a repeat of last season’s semi-final.
      On the other side of the tournament, Atletico Madrid face Borussia Dortmund and PSG clash with Barcelona.
      The Parisians are the favourites as they have a 25.48 per cent chance of making the final and a 10.96 per cent of ending their wait to seal a Champions League crown.
      Copy linkCopiedBayern fans BANNED from quarter-final
      Arsenal were handed a horror Champions League quarter final draw against Bayern Munich – but already have a massive advantage in their first leg at the Emirates.
      The German giants will NOT have any away fans at the Emirates for the first leg having received a Uefa one-match ban earlier this week for fan trouble.
      During their 1-0 first leg defeat away at Lazio in the last-16, travelling Bayern fans threw fireworks onto the pitch. They would eventually win 3-1 on aggregate to advance.
      Having already received a suspended one-match ban – as well as a £30k fine – for an identical incident in the group stages at Copenhagen in October, Uefa were left with no choice but to impose the ban.
      Copy linkCopiedChampions League round-up
      SunSport’s Martin Lipton gives his round-up of the Champions League draw.
      Martin Lipton reacts to the Champions League draw as Arsenal face old foes
      Copy linkCopiedMuller’s message to Arsenal
      Bayern Munich legend Thomas Muller had a message for Arsenal and Kai Havertz following the Champions League draw.

      Copy linkCopiedQuarter-final draw
      The Champions League quarter-final draw is set, with each club’s path to the final also revealed.
      Arsenal will play Bayern Munich as Manchester City meet Real Madrid.

      Copy linkCopiedRoute to the Champions League final
      The route to the Champions League final for Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester City has been revealed.

      Copy linkCopiedWhere will the final be played?
      This year’s Champions League final will be played at Wembley Stadium in London.
      It will take place on June 1.
      Credit: AP
      Copy linkCopiedWhen will the fixtures be played?
      The round dates for the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final are as follows:

      Quarter-finals: 9/10 April and 16/17 April 2024
      Semi-finals: 30 April/1 May and 7/8 May 2024
      Final: 1 June 2024

      Copy linkCopiedEuropa League draw
      Click HERE to follow our live blog for the Europa League draw, which is about to take place.

      Copy linkCopiedFans claim draw is ‘fixed’
      Furious Arsenal fans have taken to social media to vent their frustration after they found out their fate in the Champions League quarter and semi finals.
      Following the Gunners’ last-16 shootout victory over Porto on Tuesday, today they discovered they would be playing Bayern Munich next.
      The last time the two sides played was in 2017, with a devastating victory for the Germans.
      Two 5-1 wins at the Allianz Arena and the Emirates meant Bayern won the tie 10-2 on aggregate.
      This is the joint second biggest margin for victory over two legs in the competitions history, only eclipsed by Bayern’s 12-1 win over Sporting Lisbon in 2009.
      One fan said: “Arsenal v Bayern Munich… fix.”
      A second said: “Uefa fix the draw on nostalgia… and Bayern have history with Arsenal.”
      Copy linkCopiedBayern fans WON’T travel to Emirates
      Bayern Munich supporters will NOT be allowed at the Emirates Stadium for the Champions League quarter-final.
      That’s because UEFA issued a ban after Bayern fans threw fireworks onto the pitch during their 3-1 win at Lazio earlier this month.
      The club were also fined €40,000 after travelling fans set off fireworks during their 2-1 win at FC Copenhagen in October.
      Copy linkCopiedDraw in full
      Quarter-finals:

      Arsenal vs Bayern Munich
      Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund
      Real Madrid vs Man City
      PSG vs Barcelona

      Semi-finals:

      Atletico Madrid/Borussia Dortmund vs PSG/Barcelona
      Arsenal/Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid/Man City

      Final:
      Atletico Madrid/Borussia Dortmund or PSG/Barcelona vs Arsenal/Bayern Munich or Real Madrid/Man City
      Copy linkCopiedFinal
      Atletico Madrid/Borussia Dortmund or PSG/Barcelona vs Arsenal/Bayern Munich or Real Madrid/Man City
      Copy linkCopiedSecond semi-final
      Arsenal/Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid/Man City
      Copy linkCopiedFirst semi-final
      Atletico Madrid/Borussia Dortmund vs PSG/Barcelona
      Copy linkCopiedQuarter-final draw in full

      Arsenal vs Bayern Munich
      Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund
      Real Madrid vs Man City
      PSG vs Barcelona

      Copy linkCopiedFourth quarter-final
      Paris Saint-Germain vs Barcelona
      Copy linkCopiedThird quarter-final
      Real Madrid vs Man City
      Copy linkCopiedSecond quarter-final
      Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund
      Copy linkCopiedFirst quarter-final
      Arsenal vs Bayern Munich
      Copy linkCopiedBlues icon to draw teams
      Chelsea legend and Champions League winner John Obi Mikel is here to draw the teams.
      Copy linkCopiedHere we go!
      The draw is about to get underway!
      Copy linkCopiedIn the pot
      Premier League title chasers Arsenal and Manchester City are set to find out their quarter-final opponents today.
      They could even face each other…

      Copy linkCopiedCountdown to the draw
      Just 30 minutes to go until we find out this season’s quarter-final fixtures!
      Make sure you’re keeping up with this live blog!
      Copy linkCopiedWhich teams are in the draw?
      Here are the eight Champions League quarter-finalists:

      Arsenal
      Atletico Madrid
      Barcelona
      Bayern Munich
      Borussia Dortmund
      Manchester City
      Paris Saint-Germain
      Real Madrid

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      Arsenal land horror Champions League quarter-final draw while Man City get ultimate glamour tie

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      THE Champions League quarter-final draw is set, with each club’s path to the final also revealed. Arsenal will play Bayern Munich as Manchester City meet Real Madrid. David Raya was the shootout hero for Arsenal in the last round and they will now face Bayern MunichCredit: AlamyManchester City are looking to retain their Champions League crown but have a tough route to the finalCredit: GettyShould the two Premier League sides win, they will go head-to-head in the semi-final.Some fans are convinced the draw was rigged and labelled it a “fix”.The Gunners finally broke their last-16 curse at the eighth time of asking as they edged Porto on penalties in the last round.And they have been rewarded with a tie against Bayern as they attempt to get revenge on their 2017 embarrassment when they lost 10-2 on aggregate.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFans of the German giants will be banned from the Emirates Stadium as they threw fireworks onto the pitch as they beat Lazio earlier this month. Meanwhile, Manchester City breezed past Copenhagen 6-2 on aggregate in the previous round.They have been handed the ultimate glamour tie against Real Madrid. It is a repeat of last year’s semi-final as Pep Guardiola’s men beat them 5-1 on aggregate en route to winning the Champions League and the completion of their Treble. Most read in Champions LeagueCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVALChampions League quarter-final drawQuarter-final draw:

      Arsenal vs Bayern Munich
      Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund
      Real Madrid vs Manchester City
      PSG vs Barcelona

      How the semi-final will look:

      Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund vs PSG or Barcelona
      Arsenal or Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid or Manchester City

      The quarter-final draw also matched Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid together. With the winner set to play Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain. Mikel Arteta has called on Arsenal to seize their “beautiful” Champions League momentQuarter-final first legs will take place on April 9 and 10.The return fixture occurs a week later on April 16 and 17.For those that progress to the last four, matches are set for April 30 and May 1, with the second legs happening on May 7 and 8.The final will be played at Wembley on June 1.If either Arsenal or Man City get to the showpiece, they will in fact be the away team after they were pulled out the hat second for the final. Meanwhile, in the Europa League draw, West Ham and Liverpool avoided each other.The Irons were drawn against Bayer Leverkusen and the Reds face Atalanta.Real Madrid are one of the favourites to get their hands on the trophy and face Man CityCredit: Rex More

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      Rangers 0 Benfica 1 (2-3 on Agg) – Gers OUT of Europa League as Rafa Silva’s second half goal ends run at last 16 stage

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      PHILIPPE CLEMENT said before kick-off a Rangers victory could become an exhibit in the Ibrox museum.Unfortunately, his team’s Europa League campaign is now a thing of the past.Rangers’ Connor Goldson looks dejected after the matchafa Silva of Benfica celebrates after scoring the opening goalThe Belgian’s side gave everything for a priceless result to take them into the last eight of the competition.But it’s Benfica who got the win to take into their history books.Rafa Silva’s crucial goal that separated these two sides over legs was initially disallowed for off-side but a VAR check confirmed the strike would stand.It was an agonising end of this Euro run that had Rangers supporters dreaming of reaching the final in Dublin in May.But the 50,000 inside Ibrox for this early kick-off saluted the efforts of their heroes after the final whistle.There’s no shame whatsoever in losing to the Portuguese giants.But in the cold light of day, Clement and his players will believe they passed up a glorious opportunity to reach the quarter finals.Had Cyriel Dessers taken a big chance at the start of the second half here it could easily have turned out different.In the end it wasn’t to be, but there were still some big, imposing performances out there for Rangers.Skipper James Tavernier was immense in both directions down the right flank.Big John Souttar was the same. If not better.The Scotland centre-back was aggressive and decisive when he had to go and win the ball on the deck or in the air. When he was in possession he was calm and cool, fizzing balls forward into the feet of the midfielders ahead of him.There were still moments of anxiety in the first-half that would have worried Clement.John Lundstram was a key man bringing the ball out from the back with Souttar and Connor Goldson splitting.But the best Benfica chance of the opening 45 minutes came when the Scouse defender took his eye off the ball in the middle of the park and lost it.Thankfully for Lundstram, Tavernier made a timely last ditch block to make sure all the Portuguese side got out of it was a corner.All in all, there wasn’t a great deal between the sides by the time the half-time whistle went.Rangers could have been ahead given how much of the ball they enjoyed. Yet they didn’t trouble goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin nearly enough.The Ukrainian did make one impressive save to keep out a shot from Dessers, but the Ibrox striker had wandered into an off-side position when Tom Lawrence picked him out. Even had Trubin not made the stop, it wouldn’t have counted.1Cyriel Dessers dejectionThere were other moments that had the home support up off their seats. Lawrence fired an early shot on target that the Benfica No1 almost spilled into his net.Scott Wright – in the line-up with Dujon Sterling injured – was also lively whenever he got into the final third.It was just the final ball that let Rangers down. For all their good play, they didn’t carve out a big chance to take the lead before the interval and that would have been something that frustrated Clement and his backroom staff.Benfica would certainly have been the happier of the two teams that there was still nothing between the sides when they came back out.They made a change for the restart, striker Casper Tengstedt replacing Marcos Leonardo which was a sign that their coach, Roger Schmidt, wanted more from his attack.Just two minutes into the second-half, though, it was Rangers who had to expect better from their frontman.Wright did brilliantly to burst forward and pick out Dessers inside the box.Rangers manager Philippe Clement gestures from the sidelineBut after chopping inside, the Belgian fired his shot with his right foot – when he should have used his left – and he didn’t get nearly enough power on it with the opportunity wasted.It was still a good restart, though, and a sign that Rangers could be the team that got the next goal in the tie.They still had to be careful at the back.Goldson picked up a booking for hauling back Rafa Silva as he got away from him and, in truth, it was probably a good yellow card to get. If anything, he should have fouled him sooner. Or harder.Because in 66 minutes it was the little forward who made it 1-0 to Benfica.The galling thing for Rangers was that it came from a corner they had at the other end.But, like they did all night, they didn’t leave enough cover back on the halfway line and they were wide open to be hit on the break. Could Dessers have done better inside the Benfica box to stop the attack unfolding in the first place? It certainly looked that way.But you had to credit Angel Di Maria for setting up Silva with a perfectly timed pass which saw the Portuguese burst from his own half and into the Rangers box to beat Butland.At first it looked like the goal would be ruled out for off-side after the linesman raised his flag. But an agonising VAR check confirmed that Silva was in his own half when Di Maria passed to him and that the strike would stand.Rangers ran out of legs in the closing minutes despite changed and Benfica held on to take their place in the today’s draw for the next round.Team newsKeep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

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      How Jadon Sancho’s goal for Dortmund could DENY Man Utd Champions League football in shock transfer twist

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      JADON SANCHO’S Dortmund heroics may have dented Manchester United’s Champions League hopes.The winger is currently on loan in Germany from United after re-joining his former club in January.Jadon Sancho’s latest Dortmund strike could impact his parent club Manchester UnitedCredit: RexSancho scored his first Champions League goal since returning in a man of the match display against PSV on Wednesday night.His strike helped Dortmund secure a 2-0 win to progress to the quarter-finals 3-1 on aggregate.However, that result could harm his parent club’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.With the competition expanding from 32 to 36 teams, two nations are set to receive an extra slot.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe additional slots will be awarded based on Uefa’s coefficient rankings at the end of this season.After the conclusion of the Champions League last 16, Germany sit in second thanks to Dortmund and Bayern Munich both progressing.Meanwhile, England are one place back in third after the group stage exits of United and Newcastle.The Premier League could still secure an extra place in next season’s competition, though, with Arsenal and Manchester City both advancing to the quarter-finals.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERCurrent leaders Italy are no longer represented in this year’s Champions League.Coefficients can also be boosted by clubs remaining in both the Europa League and Conference League.Jadon Sancho reveals football idol in snub to Cristiano Ronaldo as Man Utd loanee rejoices in new Dortmund shirt number United’s hopes also rest on the Red Devils finishing in the top five this term.Erik ten Hag’s side are currently sixth in the Premier League, six points behind fifth place Tottenham.As for Sancho, he has now scored in back-to-back matches for Dortmund.The 23-year-old bagged his first Bundesliga goal since returning on Saturday in a 2-1 away win over Werder Bremen. More

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      Arsenal legend returns to Emirates for first time in five years to watch David Raya’s Champions League heroics

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      AARON RAMSEY returned to Arsenal for the first time in FIVE years to watch the Champions League penalty shootout triumph over Porto.The Gunners booked a quarter-final spot thanks to David Raya’s dramatic double spot-kick save at the Emirates on Tuesday night.David Raya was Arsenal’s hero in penalty shootout triumph over Porto as the Gunners booked a first Champions League quarter-final spot since 2010Credit: ReutersRamsey returned to the Emirates and was pictured pitchside with Faye White @ArsenalAnd club legend Ramsey, 33, who left on a free transfer for Juventus in 2019 after 11 years at the club, reckons Mikel Arteta’s men belong back at the top table of European football again.Ramsey was given a standing ovation from Arsenal fans as he was presented to the crowd pitchside before kick-off with his eldest boy Sonny.He said: “It’s my first time.  It hasn’t worked out with the timings and things like that but it’s good to be back.”It was a bit of a strange feeling driving back in having done it for so many years. I tried to jump on the team coach! “I’m excited to be here with my little man.”You really miss these Champions League nights having experienced them and played in many. “Arsenal needs the Champions League. To be in this position and progress has shown how far the club has come on again in the last few years.”As well as breaking their Champions League last-16 hoodoo for the first time since 2010.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Now they have booked a spot in Friday’s draw alongside Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal also lie top of the Premier League with ten games to go.Arteta’s side finished second to Manchester City but the North Londoners are pushing the defending champions and Liverpool in a thrilling three-horse title race.Wales captain Ramsey, who now plays for Cardiff, added: “It’s evident with the position in the league at the moment. “It’s not easy to be competing against them with what they have done over the last few years.”To come so close last year and go toe-to-toe for such a long period. Hopefully they can go one step further and get over the line.”It’s great to see. Mikel has done a fabulous job here, him and his staff. “The players are really responding and everyone has bought into it. There’s a really good buzz around the place at the moment.”Ramsey who scored two FA Cup final winning goals twice against Hull in 2014 at Wembley and Chelsea three years later, added: “They are the highlights of my Arsenal career – and career in general really. “To live a boyhood dream once but to do it again was an amazing feeling. “I’m so grateful to have played a small part in this great club’s history.”Ramsey, who joined Arsenal from Cardiff in a £5million deal back in 2008, picked his five-a-side team made up of ex-team-mates.He said: “I would go (Laurent) Koscielny at the back. I loved him, he was a brilliant player for us. “He had every attribute and went on to do so well for France.”Santi Cazorla was a great player. I’d go Mesut Ozil because I didn’t think you really appreciate how good he was until you played with him. “His weight of pass, a proper team player and oozed class.”(Oliver) Giroud would be up top. He played some important parts in my FA Cup goals. READ MORE SUN STORIES”And I’d go for (Cesc) Fabregas. I didn’t play too often with him but what he did for the club, he was an amazing player. “The way he played and his forward thinking approach. The amount of his assists he did, at his age coming into the Arsenal team was brilliant.” More