LONDON: Manchester City have the best players in the world and have what it takes to win this season鈥檚 Champions League. That is according to Abu Dhabi owned club鈥檚 assistant manager Miekl Arteta ahead of their Group F opener against Lyon. 

Having won the Premier League at a stroll 鈥� setting many records along the way 鈥� City are one of the favorites once again to land the most sought-after trophy in club football. Last season they fell in the last-eight, losing to eventual finalists Liverpool. But with an extra year鈥檚 experience under their belts, Arteta is confident the side can go all the way this time. 

鈥淔or me we have the best players in the world at this club,鈥� the Spaniard said. 鈥淚 see them every day in training and I wouldn鈥檛 change them for any others because they are fantastic. The hunger in the group is incredible and that鈥檚 not something everyone notices. People need to look inside the club 鈥� it鈥檚 not just about the money we have to spend.鈥�

Arteta will be in charge in the dugout for tonight鈥檚 clash against Lyon due to Pep Guardiola鈥檚 suspension for coming on to the pitch during the European defeat to Liverpool. But while he is sure of his side鈥檚 class and ability to win the Champions League, Arteta had defending champions Real Madrid as favorites. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to make comparisons, we still have a very young squad,鈥� the City assistant manager said. 鈥淚t is a surprise to be made favorites when there is a team out there that has won the competition three times in a row. 

鈥淓ven if they have lost Cristiano Ronaldo I would still make Real Madrid the main favorites because of their history and their experience, but I do think the Champions League is going to be quite open this season. There isn鈥檛 that much between the top teams.鈥�