CSKA Moscow vs Arsenal
Europa League Quarterfinal Second Leg
Date: 12th April 2018, Thursday
Kick-off at 20:05 UK/ 21:05 CET
Venue: Arena CSKA (Moscow).
Arsenal are in a strong position to make it to the Europa League semifinals as they carry a 4-1 lead with them to CSKA Moscow in the second leg on Thursday night.
An all-round first half performance at the Emirates saw Arsenal rush to a 4-1 lead to defend for the next 45 minutes. Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette scored twice in the rapid assault, while Aleksandr Golovin netted the consolation goal for the Russians. CSKA are left with a colossal task at their own backyard and I don’t see then topple Wenger’s men on Thursday.
Arsenal are the only English Premier League club left in the Europa League, reached this far by topping their group and then eliminating Swedish club Ostersunds and AC Milan in the previous rounds.
CSKA moved to Europa League knockout phase after finishing third in their Champions League group. They knocked out Red Star Belgrade with a 1-0 aggregate in the round of 32 and then bagged a massive 3-2 away win at Lyon to overturn a 1-0 first leg loss in the round of 16.
CSKA Moscow vs Arsenal: Head-to-head
The 4-1 win in the first leg of the corresponding fixture is Arsenal’s first win over CSKA in their third overall head-to-head meeting.
The previous was in the 2006/07 Champions League group phase. CSKA bagged a 1-0 home win and held the Gunners to a goal-less draw in London.
This mid-week mark Arsenal’s fifth visit to Russia and they are win-less in the previous four, 1 draw and 3 losses.
CSKA have a moderate record against English Premier League clubs at their own backyard, won and drew 2, lost 5 off 9 games.
[get_partner id=57394]CSKA Moscow vs Arsenal: Prediction
Arsenal had enough difficulties in getting results on the road in the domestic league. But their away record in the Europa League is durable. Four wins out of five with 10 goals scored to 3 conceded suggest that they are in good shape.
Meanwhile, CSKA’s record in Europe is inconsistent as they lost 2 of the 3 in Champions League and 1 off 2 in the Europa League. The 4-1 loss in the first leg already put them in a pressure cooker situation and I can see Wenger’s men gunning down the Militarians once again.
CSKA Moscow vs Arsenal: Bet Tips
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CSKA Moscow vs Arsenal: Team News and Predicted Line-ups
CSKA Moscow
Center defender Viktor Vasin and right full-back Mario Fernandes are sidelined for the Russian side. The duo also missed the first leg in London and therefore we expect and unchanged eleven from Viktor Goncharenko.
CSKA Moscow Predicted Line-up (3-5-2)
Akinfeev – Vasili Berezutski, Aleksei Berezutski, Ignashevich – Schennikov, Golovin, Natkho, Dzagoev, Kuchaev – Musa, Wernbloom.
Arsenal Team News
Wenger is expected to field a strong side as Europa League is his top priority in the closing months of the 2017/18 season.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is the only high profile absentee from the team. Danny Welbeck could take his place, while Alex Iwobi is an option.
Arsenal Predicted Line-up (4-2-3-1)
Cech – Mustafi, Koscielny, Bellerin, Monreal – Xhaka, Ramsey – Ozil, Wilshere, Welbeck – Lacazette.
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