Dimitar Berbatov praises Arsenal and expects tough game in the Champions League

Monaco striker Dimitar Berbatov has heaped praise on Arsenal ahead of the first leg of the round of 16 tie at the Emirates but expects his experience in the Premier league to give them an edge.

The former Manchester United and Tottenham striker, who was a revelation under Sir Alex Ferguson, has since taken up a role with the French giants, scoring 12 goals in the league since his arrival from Fulham in January, 2014.

Berbatov will find himself faced against Arsenal yet again, in a rivalry which has been carried forward from club to club in the league for the Bulgarian.

However, at 34, the player is not fazed by the competition and insists that he can come on top in spite of being at the same level as he was during his time in the Premier League.

The player has already corroborated with his teammates, giving them the intricacies on how the Gunners play and is hopeful that it will help them gauge their threat better and prepare for a tough outing at the Emirates.

"We know it is going to be a difficult game and we will be the underdogs but we came for a good result, have prepared well and hopefully we can achieve it," Berbatov said.

"I spent a couple of years here and have told my team-mates this will be a tough game. Being back here is great for me, playing in this stadium. I have had some good moments here, scored a couple of goals and also had some bad moments. It is nothing new to me. I know the games, I watch them on TV, Arsenal are playing very well.

"They are a team who work a lot of passes, try to play the combinations, football the way it should be played. They play on the counter with quick players and are very technical.

"Maybe this will be new for some of my team-mates but I have explained to them that it will be difficult, so they need to do their homework and our coach will prepare us for the game. Hopefully we can do what we came here to do," he added.