Can Arsenal secure UCL return with top-four berth or Euro glory?
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The last week hasn’t been pleasant for Arsenal fans. They saw their side routed 3-0 by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, while the Gunners also narrowly squeezed past Ostersunds in the Europa League following a second-leg loss.
However, things aren’t as bad as they may initially appear for Arsene Wenger’s side.
The North London side have made the Emirates Stadium something of a fortress this season. At present, they have the third-best home record in the Premier League, with 10 wins and two draws from their 13 on home turf.
The January signing of Henrikh Mkhitaryan has also brought some renewed hope. The Armenian has chalked up five assists in as many outings since joining, and ran the show in the 5-1 demolition of Everton earlier this month.
He could prove especially useful in the Gunners’ bid to win the Europa League – and return to Champions League football.
When Manchester United lifted the UEL trophy last term, the 29-year-old was their outstanding performer. He chalked up six goals in 11 outings, including the winner in May’s final against Ajax.
However, that’s not to say it’s all rosy at the Emirates.
Wenger is increasingly under-pressure, and the latest odds made it a 5/6 shot he leaves before next season begins.
They’ve also shown a lack of fight and physicality away from home, managing just three away wins in 14 Prem trips. And that figure is zero since the turn of the year.
The main issue on that front is goals. Between them, strikers Alexandre Lacazette and Danny Welbeck have managed two league goals away from home this term. Whichever way you cut it, that’s a shoddy stat.
But the answer may lie in another January acquisition – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The £57m man opened his account against Everton, and fans will be hoping that’s a sign of things to come.
Making the top four looks a big ask right now, with the Gunners 10 points off, though with a game in hand. But there’s sizeable odds on offer for them to do it, with 18/1 for Arsenal to finish in the top-four.
A more likely path to next season’s UCL looks to be Arsenal Winning the Europa League at 5/1. As it stands, our trading team make them second-favourites behind Atletico Madrid.
Thursday’s clash with Manchester City is a tough ask, but Wenger’s men do have that impressive home record on their side. Victory for the Gunners is 3/1, while it’s 19/20 for Arsenal to Win or Draw.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
