Paul Merson makes Arsenal Champions League claim ahead of Real Madrid prediction

Paul Merson believes Arsenal would prefer to face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals over Real Madrid. Merson has also labelled last week's 7-1 win over PSV Eindhoven as "covering over the cracks."

The Gunners are all but through to the last eight after demolishing their Dutch opponents in the Netherlands. Mikel Arteta's side will now look to finish the job in north London on Wednesday night (8pm kick-off).

Arsenal are set to face either holders Real Madrid or Atletico in the next round, with Real holding a slender 2-1 advantage from the first leg. The decisive second leg will kick off at the same time as Arsenal's on Wednesday.

And former Gunners midfielder Merson has explained why his old side will hope Atletico comes through against the 15-time winners.

"I think it depends on who wins out of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid," he told Sky Sports News when asked how far Arsenal can go in the competition.

"I think if Atletico Madrid win, Arsenal have a bit of a chance. I think that'll be a tight game, Atletico Madrid don't blow anybody away - they play a certain style of football.

"But if they play against Real Madrid, I don't know if they're going to be able to live with them with goalscoring over two legs, especially with the players that are out for Arsenal.

"And I know they won 7-1 the other day, but it was a bit of a Polyfilla result. It covered over the cracks."

The Champions League represents Arsenal's only realistic chance of silverware this season. Arteta's team sit 15 points off Premier League leaders Liverpool and are out of both domestic cup competitions.

However, if they are to end their five-year trophy drought, they will need to achieve something they have yet to accomplish in their 166-year history. Arsenal have never won Europe's elite competition, with a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in the 2006 final being the closest they have come.

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