Arsenal eye win against CSKA Moscow in Europa League quarter-final first leg
Kick-off : 8:05 PM (Local)
Venue : Emirates Stadium, London
Arsenal easily overcame AC Milan in the round of 16 hammering them 5-1 on aggregate. The Gunners would like to carry on the same momentum ahead.
But Arsenal struggled this season domestically and is all but certain to finish 6th. They are going to finish outside the top four and will miss out direct qualification to next season’s Champions League.
This makes winning the Europa League this season as their top most priority. They have not got a tough tie either in the quarter-finals and should progress to the semi’s.
On the other hand, CSKA Moscow overcame a resurgent Lyon side in the round of 16 and only progressed on away goals rule. They have an even tougher task now in the next round as they face one of the world’s best clubs in Arsenal.
CSKA Moscow though have a good track record against Arsenal having one and drawn one out of the two games played between them thus far.
Team news and possible line-ups
Viktor Vasin, Mario Fernandes and Astemir Gordyushenko will not be available for CSKA Moscow for the midweek game as due to injury.
As for Arsenal, Danny Welbeck and Petr Cech are both doubts. While Santi Cazorla remains sidelined.
CSKA Moscow XI : Akinfeev, Schennikov, A. Berezutski, V. Berezutski, Ignashevich, Kuchaev, Dzagoev, Natcho, Wernbloom, Golovkin, Musa.
Arsenal XI : Ospina, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, N. Monreal, Xhaka, Ramsey, Mkhitaryan, Wilshere, Ozil, Lacazette.
Prediction
I expect Arsenal to win this game as they are the experienced side. I think the Gunners are going to win 4-0.
