Former Manchester City player Joleon Lescott believes that his former club facing Arsenal in a UEFA Champions League two-legged encounter would pose the greatest potential obstacle to Pep Guardiola’s side winning Champions League for a second straight season. While speaking to TNT Sports earlier this month, Lescott opined that the Gunners would present a stiffer test for the defending champions than Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

The former Manchester City defender suggested that City is best off avoiding their Premier League rivals moving forward. The Sky Blues have already advanced past FC Copenhagen to reach the quarterfinals. But in the round of eight, teams from the same country are eligible to play one another. That sets up a potential showdown between City and Arsenal if the Gunners advance as well.

Despite trailing 1-0 to Porto ahead of their second leg at home, Lescott contends that Mikel Arteta’s side possesses the capabilities to challenge City unlike any other team remaining in the competition.

“I’m confident for City to win [the trophy] as long as they avoid Arsenal,” Lescott explains. “We’ll probably expect every predictable team to go through the tie – Arsenal and Porto are fairly similar in terms of their league stature – but I think that Arsenal would understand and have slightly less respect and fear for Man City.

In addition to Man City, Real Madrid, PSG, and Bayern Munich have already punched their tickets to the quarterfinals. All three are European powerhouses with Madid and PSG currently leading their domestic leagues. There is no question that all three pose a threat to City’s hopes of a repeat. But Lescott still believes Arsenal is the bigger obstacle.

“With Real Madrid, as much as they are the team for the Champions League, they’re not used to playing the way City make you play,” says Lescott. “Whether you like it or not, whoever you are – Bayern Munich, PSG, Real Madrid – you’re going to be pushed back and are you used to that? Are you used to defending for 70% of the game rather than being in possession?”

Instead, Lescott believes it’s the Gunners, who are accustomed to facing Man City twice per season, that could derail City’s Champions League hopes in 2024.

“I think Arsenal have a better understanding of that so over two legs, I think they have a better chance than other teams. In a final, you just don’t know.”

Arsenal have triumphed over City twice this season, securing a penalty shoot-out win in the Community Shield and clinching a 1-0 victory in the Premier League back in October. Lescott pointed out that City’s success in the previous season’s competition, particularly the pivotal semi-final victory against Madrid, underlines their ability to progress far in the tournament.

“I don’t think Arsenal are the best fit to beat everyone else. I think City’s worst team they could face, would be Arsenal [over two legs],” he added. “I would be more nervous facing Arsenal than against Real Madrid.”

The likes of Barcelona and current Serie A leaders Inter Milan could also be potential opponents for Manchester City in Champions League. There may not be much to separate the top contenders heading into the quarterfinals. Prior to the quarterfinals is a good time to explore various soccer betting apps to learn more about the features of each one before the biggest games of the season.

With three rounds and five matches separating Guardiola’s side from another European trophy, facing some combination of Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich is a distinct possibility. That makes Man City’s path to a second straight Champions League crown difficult – but not impossible – no matter how you look at it.