Arsenal are one of the best teams in Europe, says Van Buyten

Feb 18, 2013 12:10:00 AM

The Belgian veteran is looking forward to Tuesday's Champions League clash in London, which will see him go head to head with compatriot Thomas Vermaelen

Bayern Munich defender Daniel Van Buyten has warned his team-mates that Arsenal are among the finest teams in Europe.

The Bundesliga leaders travel to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday in the last 16 of the Champions League, and the Belgian is well aware of the threat posed by the Gunners.

"I can feel the excitement already, but I think that’s the case for every player," he told the Bayern's official website.

"Champions League football is just so special, especially when you play an English club. We’re all really looking forward to it.

"Arsenal are one of the best teams in Europe. They have huge attacking potential, excellent individuals and they’re a very good team unit. But we have plenty of quality, and we intend to show it. It’ll be a great game.

"Arsenal are obviously quality. But even against teams lacking Arsenal’s big name players, it’s always difficult for the defence and the whole team, in Wolfsburg for example, or in Mainz.

"It might look easy, but a huge amount of work goes into it, lots of training, lots of communication. All the players put a huge amount into it, even when we don’t have the ball."

Van Buyten will be facing two familiar players in former Bayern striker Lukas Podolski and fellow Belgian Thomas Vermaelen, and the veteran is excited about meeting up with the duo.

"I’m really looking forward to seeing [Vermaelen] and Poldi. I spoke to Thomas about the game a couple of weeks ago when we were on national team duty, but we’ve not been in touch in the build-up to the match itself."