Bayern Munich captain, Philipp Lahm, has mocked Arsenal ahead of their Champions League last 16 second leg clash.

The German told the media that the Gunners are no longer one of Europe’s top sides, the Daily Express reports.

The full back, who has spent his entire career at Bayern, barring a loan spell at VFB Stuttgart, has led his side to two of the last three finals where they have lost on both occasions.

Threat

The Bundesliga leaders are overwhelming favourites to progress to the quarter finals, a stage which Arsenal have only reached three times since reaching the final in 2006, where they lost to Barcelona.

The North London club look set to go an eighth season without a trophy, and the Germany captain told reporters: “Arsenal are not right at the top level. They are a top team, with good players and have a lot of experience. They always go through the group stage.

“I’d say they are one of the better teams in Europe, but right at the top level? I don’t think so.”

Expectations

The 29 year old expects Arsenal to go all out for the win they need to progress tonight, something which he thinks will aid Bayern in their task of eliminating the Emirates side.

Lahm continued: “They have to pressure us and we can play on the counterattack.”

“It is a surprise to have no English teams in the quarter-finals. They have a strong league and have gone far in the past but a lot of teams have caught up. We are here, [Borussia] Dortmund are here.”

Should the Gunners fail to overturn the 3-1 deficit, it would be the first time since 1996 that there has been no English representatives in the quarter final draw of the Champions League.