Clarence Seedorf has said Arsenal’s ability to defend could make the difference if they reach the Champions League final.
Arsenal will face Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals, with the first leg taking place at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night.
The showdown in the Spanish capital has its work cut out to live up to the excitement of the first semi-final tie after Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich shared nine-goals in a Champions League classic.
Seedorf, though, was not impressed with the defending on show from both sides and has gone as far to tip the Gunners to win the trophy - should they overcome Atletico - due to their ability to keep the opposition out.
“Clean sheets were always sacred for goalkeepers and we have seen a team like Arsenal making the difference this year having so many clean sheets and coming all the way,” Seedorf told Amazon Prime.
“If I had to point out one team now that would be capable of bringing it home because of that capacity, it is actually Arsenal.
“From a spectacle point of view, yes it’s great but once upon a time also defending was an art and was appreciated and it has to be apart of the game.
“Tell me one sport you can win without a proper defence? I don’t think it exists.
“Looking at the characteristic of the team, Arsenal is capable of doing this. Atletico Madrid are also capable of doing the things I am saying and they have a good attack eventually.
“Probably less in volume, Arsenal have more difficult in scoring goals than these two teams but they just need one because they know how to defend a zero eventually and that can make a difference.”
