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One of the big challenges for Arsène Wenger and Arsenal in the Europa League this season will be accepting the fact that it is going to be very difficult to win. Talk of emulating Manchester United’s easy run to the Final last year seems a little too facile. There are much, much better teams in the competition this year than in 2017.
However, Arsenal should take a lot of heart in the 1st leg results. Aside from a professional and performance in the 3-0 win over Ostersunds, Arsenal fans should also be buoyed by the struggles of Napoli, Lazio and Villareal. It really does look like several of the ‘big-hitters’ will go once the 2nd leg ties have been completed.
RB Leipzig provided the shock result of the night in Naples
Napoli, who look unlikely to overturn a 3-1 home reverse to RB Leipzig, should be a loss that will gratify Wenger in particular. They can, however, still be backed at 100/1 with 888sport if you fancy some longshot action. Indeed, with the exception of Napoli, the odds haven’t changed too much after the 1st leg:
| Atlético Madrid | 13/4 |
| Arsenal | 9/2 |
| RB Leipzig | 11/1 |
| Borussia Dortmund | 11/1 |
| AC Milan | 13/1 |
| Lyon | 17/1 |
| Marseille | 17/1 |
| Lazio | 22/1 |
| Atalanta | 40/1 |
*others available
Those odds might shift dramatically if the likes of Lazio or Napoli can turn things around in the 2nd leg, but there does seem to be daylight between Arsenal, Atlético and the rest of the pack at the moment. 9/2 does look tempting for the Gunners, especially when you can bet on Arsenal with a free bet no deposit offer.
Atlético’s progress will be keenly observed by Wenger
Atlético, of course, are the side that most Gunners fans will be keeping an eye on. They have rightfully been made favourites for the competition they last won in 2012. That 2012 Final – a 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao – was really the moment the Simone era began. Atlético haven’t looked back since, reaching two Champions League Finals and breaking the Real/Barcelona stranglehold in La Liga in 2014.
Atlético and the irrepressible Simone are not infallible however. Despite being second in the table, they have scored just 34 goals in 23 games in La Liga this season. By way of contrast, 14th placed Real Sociedad have 43 goals. The defence, while notoriously tough, can be got at: Chelsea’s attack gave them a torrid time in the 2-1 Champions League victory at Atlético’s new ground, the Estadio Wanda, in September. Atlético’s odds do look a little short when you consider they will be putting a lot of focus on reining in Barcelona in La Liga or, at the very least, trying to finish above Real in the table.
Europa should be Arsenal’s main focus going forward
The point for Arsenal is that they should have a healthy respect for the other sides in the competition, whilst at the same time not fearing anyone. There are a number of teams who would look credible as Europa League winners, but the draw could open for Arsenal as more sides fall by the wayside. With no FA Cup to concentrate on and, unfortunately, diminishing relevance in the Premier League, Arsenal do have the squad depth to manage the Europa League campaign astutely. The 3-0 win against Ostersunds may not have been the most eye-catching result in Arsenal’s history, but it displayed a comfort not enjoyed by many of Arsenal’s rivals. Something for Arsenal fans to take heart from.
