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Lamine Yamal would embrace a potential clash with Premier League title holders Arsenal, having recently declared that he believes Barcelona are "superior" to Mikel Arteta's squad.
In a sit-down with Movistar, Yamal covered a range of topics, including his thoughts on some of the elite clubs in world football. When questioned about how Barcelona would stack up against Arsenal, the electrifying winger said he believes the defending La Liga champions have the edge over their Premier League rivals.
"I think Arsenal are a rival that are very similar to us [Barcelona], but I believe we are superior," Yamal stated. "They play very similar to us, and those games are comfortable for us."
Yamal also noted that clubs like Paris Saint-Germain—whom he considers the frontrunners for Champions League glory—and Bayern Munich present a more difficult stylistic challenge for Barcelona and are therefore better positioned to exploit the weaknesses of Hansi Flick's team.
A fixture against Arsenal, however, would be "a more tactical match, more about having the ball," according to Yamal.
When Could Barcelona and Arsenal Face Off?
The only way to put Yamal's theory to the test would be for Barcelona and Arsenal to cross paths in the knockout rounds of the 2026–27 Champions League.
The league phase draw placed both clubs against some of the strongest sides in Europe, including several of their fiercest rivals. Barcelona are set to face Manchester City, widely regarded as the biggest threat to Arsenal's Premier League title defense, while the Gunners will host Barça's bitter rivals Real Madrid during the league phase.
Nevertheless, no head-to-head fixture between the two reigning domestic champions is currently scheduled. Any potential encounter would have to materialize in the latter stages of the Champions League, depending on multiple variables, including each team's final standing in the group phase, which side of the bracket they land on, and their ability to avoid early elimination.
Barcelona and Arsenal last locked horns in the 2015–16 Champions League round of 16, when the Catalans overwhelmed then-manager Arsène Wenger's Gunners, powered by the lethal attacking combination of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Neymar.
The two clubs have faced each other nine times throughout their shared history, with Barcelona holding a commanding advantage, boasting six victories compared to Arsenal's solitary win.
Lamine Yamal Says He Watches 'All' Premier League Games
Yamal's take on Arsenal's playing style stems from his habit of watching complete football matches—rather than just highlights—whenever the opportunity arises. The young star admitted he enjoys watching the game in his downtime and made no secret of his affection for the Premier League.
"From the Premier League, I watch them all [games]," Yamal told Movistar. "All Premier League games, I think, are very fun to watch. At noon you sit down at your house, and you just enjoy [Premier League] soccer."
Real Betis and Villarreal are two La Liga sides Yamal particularly enjoys following, and he also noted his appreciation for watching PSG in the Champions League, largely because he takes pleasure in seeing them "submit" top-tier opposition.
Arsenal currently stand as the finest club in Yamal's preferred league to watch. His prediction of how a Barcelona-Arsenal matchup would unfold remains untested, but a meeting between the two sides later this season would undoubtedly produce an unforgettable spectacle.