Five talking points ahead of the Champions League action | OneFootball

Five talking points ahead of the Champions League action, as UEFA’s top club competition prepares for matchday four.

Arsenal out to equal 122-year club record

Arsenal look formidable right now with the Gunners securing another clean sheet in the Premier League at the weekend. Mikel Arteta’s side have not conceded a goal in any competition since September 28th, a run of seven straight shut-outs.

It’s the second-longest run in the club’s history, with only an eight-game streak in 1903 bettering their current sequence. Arsenal can equal that 122-year record on Tuesday night, when they look to maintain their 100% record in the Champions League at Slavia Prague.

Alexander-Arnold makes Anfield return

All eyes will be on Trent Alexander-Arnold on Tuesday night, as the right-back makes his first return to Anfield. The defender’s decision to leave Liverpool irked the fanbase, muddying the legacy of a player who came through the ranks to shine.

The circumstances of Alexander-Arnold’s exit, running down his contract to join Real Madrid for a reduced fee, has seen his status evaporate for some. He was booed during the closing stages of last season after announcing his exit, even if there was some goodwill towards the 27-year-old as he collected his Premier League winners’ medal in May.

That said, it’s been just five months since his departure and the majority inside Anfield will not have forgiven or forgot. Expect a hostile reception for the former favourite, if he’s picked to start.

Champions League contenders go head-to-head

There’s a blockbuster clash at the Parc des Princes as holders Paris Saint-Germain face Bayern Munich on matchday four. It’s a meeting between last season’s champions and, arguably, Europe’s form team right now.

Bayern have won all 15 games this season, but face a PSG team that currently top the league phase from them on goal difference.

It’s a rematch of the 2020 final. The champions of France and Germany. Ousmane Dembele vs Harry Kane. Do not miss this one.

Can Qarabag upset the odds again?

After three games, Qarabag find themselves nestled in the qualification places. Napoli, Juventus and Atletico Madrid are just some of the teams who trail the Azerbaijani outfit, who have taken six points from a possible nine.

On matchday one, Qarabag produced a stunning comeback to beat Benfica in Portugal, becoming the first Azerbaijani side to win a Champions League match in the competition proper. A win over Copenhagen followed, before Athletic Bilbao gave the underdogs a reality check last time out.

Next up for Qarabag is a glamour tie against Chelsea, who make the 2,500 mile trip to Azerbaijan this week. Another upset would be the biggest win in the club’s history.

Benfica should fear returning star

Bayer Leverkusen won the race to sign Alejandro Grimaldo from Benfica in 2023, with seemingly little competition. It shouldn’t have taken hindsight to determine that Leverkusen got a steal with that free transfer capture.

Grimaldo spent seven-and-a-half years in Lisbon, where he racked up 303 appearances, four league titles, and 48 Primeira Liga assists. In Germany, he’s continued in that manner. An inspirational part of Leverkusen’s unbeaten title triumph in 2023/24, the Spaniard has been a deliverer of consistent quality from wing-back.

He’s remained despite mass exits to shine this season, with seven goal involvements (4G and 3A) in just eight Bundesliga games. Grimaldo might be a ‘defender’ but he’s Leverkusen’s most potent threat right now. Benfica beware of the former favourite.

Read – Five of the best games between Liverpool and Real Madrid

See more – Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend

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