Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes believes Arsenal should be considered the favourites to win both the Premier League and Champions League this season.

Leverkusen were paired with Arsenal for the last-16 stage in Friday’s Champions League draw, with the winner due to play either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting CP in the quarter final.

Arsenal finished top of the Champions League league phase and were the only team to win all eight of their matches, while Mikel Arteta’s side currently sit five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

‘I was delighted with the draw,’ Rolfes said.

‘From a sporting perspective, both are obviously top opponents, but firstly, we’re facing two of our former players in Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapie, and secondly, we’re playing internationally. That’s what you compete for in the Champions League.

‘They [Arsenal] have an extremely good squad with a lot of physical but also technical quality, pace very well-coordinated and organised.

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