Arsenal vs CSKA Moscow
Europa League Quarter Final
Date: Thursday, 5th April 2018
Kick-off at 20:05 UK/ 21:05 CET
Venue: Emirates Stadium (London).
Arsenal welcome CSKA Moscow to the Emirates stadium for the first leg of Europa League 2017/18 quarter final on Thursday evening, 5th April 2018. The match is scheduled to kick-off at 20:05 UK time and 21:05 Central European time zone.
Europa League is Arsenal’s top priority as we approach the closure of the season as they look to claw back into Champions League by winning the competition. Sitting at 6th in the English Premier League at this point, the Gunners have literally no chance to finish inside the top four.
This is one of the main reasons why Wenger fielded his best eleven in the both round of 16 legs against AC Milan. The 2-0 win in the first leg of the tie was crucial result for the Gunners as they were on a four match losing streak at that point. With the confidence gained, they made no mistakes in the reverse leg and killed off the tie with a 3-1 win.
They went on to win 3-0 at home against Stoke City this weekend to make it 4 wins on the bounce, still three of those are at home. The team conceded just 1 goal in the process. So, they certainly have the momentum required for fixtures like these.
CSKA are still in the title race in Russian Premier League and they are certain to make it to Europe next season. The Moscow based outfit reached the round of 32 of Europa League after finishing third in their Champions League group. They defeated Red Star Belgrade and Lyon since, both victories secured in the second leg under tricky situations. The one to be highlighted is their win against the Ligue 1 side. CSKA lost the first leg at home 1-0 before turning the tide with a 3-2 win in the away leg.
Arsenal vs CSKA Moscow: Head-to-head
The two sides’ only meeting in a UEFA competition happened in 2006 Champions League group stage. CSKA was unbeaten in those duels with a 1-0 win at home and goal-less draw at London. That is also Arsenal’s last meeting with a Russian club.
CSKA had met an English club in every season since 2013. In the current campaign, they lost both home and away legs to Manchester United, leaving them with just 1 win from the 10 matches in the period, drew 2 and lost 7.
Arsenal vs CSKA Moscow: Prediction
It seems like Wenger’s men don’t put a foot wrong while playing at the Emirates Stadium. Manchester City are the only side that troubled them here, barring the one-man De Gea show that earned United a win back in December.
Therefore, CSKA are bound to struggle in this first leg fixture. Moreover, they have virtually flopped in every key game played in England in the past two decades.
Arsenal vs CSKA Moscow: Bet Tips
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Arsenal -1.5 Asian Handicap for 2.10 odds.
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Over 2.5 full-time goals @ 1.74.
