Arsenal ‘Not at the Level’ of Real Madrid and Bayern as Pundit Warns of Semi-Final ‘Big Problem’

Arsenal is warned they won't win the Champions League without a major tactical shift. Pundit Craig Burley claims they aren't at the level of Real or Bayern.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 8, 2026, 8:15 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365 and ESPN.

The Gap Between Grit and Elite Quality

Arsenal’s narrow quarter-final first-leg win in Lisbon may have put one foot in the semi-finals, but it has failed to silence critics regarding the team’s current form. Speaking on ESPN, former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley asserted that Mikel Arteta’s side is currently "not at the level" displayed by European heavyweights Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. While acknowledging the value of a 1-0 away lead, Burley suggested that Arsenal’s recent "gritty" approach—which failed them in the League Cup final against Manchester City—will be insufficient against the continent’s most clinical teams.

A "Big Problem" Looming in the Semi-Finals

The "one thing" that Burley insists must change is Arsenal's tactical intensity. At the start of the 2025/26 season, the Gunners were characterized by a "hundred miles an hour" press that effectively throttled opponents. However, Burley notes that this "free-flowing football" has largely vanished, replaced by a more cautious, labored style. He warned that if Arsenal advances to face either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals, they will face a "big problem" unless they can reintegrate injured stars and "flick the switch" back to their peak performance levels.

Comparing the Quarter-Final Tiers

Burley’s critique was sharpened by the contrast between Arsenal’s performance and the high-octane clash between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich on the same night. Describing Sporting Lisbon as "one of the weakest teams left," Burley argued that a narrow win against the Portuguese side should be expected and does not prove Arsenal can handle the pressure of a final. He cautioned that giving a team like Bayern Munich the amount of possession Arsenal afforded Sporting would result in the Gunners being "cut open" by superior technical quality.