Arsenal are no longer in the Champions League this season, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still inspiring others.

Bayern Munich, who recorded a 2-2 draw against Real Madrid in the first leg of their semi-final Champions League showdown on Tuesday night, were the ones who handed Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal an early exit.

This is despite the German giants enduring a time to forget on the domestic scene as their 11-year dominance has been ended by Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen.

Thomas Tuchel’s side have struggled in big ways, but it seems as though Arsenal have provided them with a lift, that’s according to Thomas Muller.

The German legend is a colourful character and he has been one of the best players in Europe over the last ten years.

His team’s performances this season would have hurt him the most, that’s why after losing to Leverkusen earlier this year, he let out a rallying cry.

Muller was part of the Bayern team that knocked out Arsenal and he was keen to highlight the ‘belief’ the London club have given his side in trying to progress to the final of the Champions League.

The two-time European Cup winner also name-checked two players – Martin Odegaard and Konrad Laimer. They faced off in an absorbing midfield battle over the two legs.

When trying to explain the mindset and feeling Bayern have now compared to months ago, Muller stated: ‘It (win over Arsenal) gave us the belief and I said this Konrad Laimer feeling when he is hunting Odegaard like a dog’, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (30/04/24 at 10:10 pm).

Thomas Muller on Arsenal and Martin Odegaard

On what has changed at Bayern, since losing to Leverkusen, to give them the belief that they can get through to the Champions League final:

Muller responded: “The games and win over Arsenal gave us self-confidence.

“Not the team spirit when you go out and drink a beer together. It gave us the belief and I said this Konrad Laimer feeling when he is hunting Odegaard like a dog. Maybe you know this story. This kind of winning feeling gave us a little bit more belief in ourselves and to be a little bit more aggressive.

“In the last two or three weeks, we are in a good mood. We are playing better, not perfect, but we are playing better.”

Who will win the Champions League?

Bayern and Real played out a pulsating four-goal thriller in Bavaria and now attention will turn to the second leg in Madrid.

Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund will contest the other semi-final, as some big-name players are on show.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if the winner of the Ballon d’Or comes from who lifts the European Cup at Wembley.

Vinicius Jr, who netted a brace against Bayern, is certainly a contender, alongside Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.

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