Arsenal’s Season Hanging by Europa League Thread

Europa League | Preview

05/04/18

Arsenal’s Season Hanging by Europa League Thread

The UEFA Europa League returns this Thursday and we have reached the quarter-final stage of the competition.

There are only 8 teams remaining in the tournament and Arsenal are one of the favourites to go on and lift the trophy but first they must defeat CSKA Moscow over two legs, with the first taking place at the Emirates Stadium.

The Europa League provides a great opportunity for Arsenal to win the second European trophy in their history. This competition has a lot riding on it for the Gunners because if they fail to win it, there will no Champions League football again next season.

CSKA Moscow have won the Europa League once before, back in 2004/05 and it would be a fantastic achievement for the Russian club to do it again this season.

Arsenal come into this match on the back of a 3-0 win over relegation threatened Stoke City on the weekend. The match was level at half-time and there were boos ringing out from around the Emirates. Arsenal will want to get off to a better start in this match and have the fans right behind them.

Form in the Europa League is good and the Gunners defeated AC Milan in both legs of their Round of 16 tie. Having won 2-0 in Milan, Arsenal completed the job by defeating AC Milan 3-1 on home soil. Arsenal have played five home Europa League games this season and lost just one, which was against Ostersunds having already won the away leg comfortably.

Arsenal have scored 13 goals in five home Europa League games this season.

Unlike the hosts, CSKA Moscow are still involved in a title race in their domestic league and won their fourth successive match in all competitions on the weekend as they defeated Rostov 2-1 away from home.

Trends show CSKA Moscow have lost only one of their last fourteen games in all competitions, which came at home against Lyon in the Europa League. However, CSKA Moscow responded superbly in the away leg in France to come away with a 3-2 win and take the tie on away goals.

Away from home, CSKA Moscow are unbeaten in four matches following the resumption of the Russian league. They have won one and drawn one of their two away Europa League matches and defeated both Benfica and Basel away in the Champions League. Their only away defeat in Europe this season came at Manchester United, which they lost 2-1.

Team news and Arsenal are still without Santi Cazorla but otherwise, Arsenal should be at close to full strength for this game. Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will miss out having already played for Borussia Dortmund in the competition.

CSKA Moscow will travel without the injured trio of Viktor Vasin, Astemir Gordyuskenko and Mario Fernandes. They are expected to line-up with the pacey Ahmed Musa in attack, with support from Pontus Wernbloom.

Arsenal know how crucial this match is for their season and should have enough to win the game. However, CSKA Moscow cannot be underestimated and they could leave the Emirates with an away goal.