UEL QF 2nd Leg: CSKA Moscow (1) v Arsenal (4) | April 12, 2018 20:05 BST | BT Sport

• This is CSKA's 21st European fixture against English opposition, their record standing at W3 D5 L12. They have already lost at home to English opposition this season, going down 1-4 to Manchester United on matchday two of the UEFA Champions League.

• Arsenal have a negative overall balance against Russian opposition in UEFA competition (W3 D2 L4) and have never won in Russia (D1 L3). All four of those matches have been in Moscow, with a 0-0 draw against Lokomotiv Moskva in the 2003/04 UEFA Champions League group stage the one occasion on which the Gunners have avoided defeat. Their only previous two-legged knockout tie with Russian opposition ended in an 8-4 aggregate defeat by Spartak Moskva in the first round of the 1982/83 UEFA Cup (2-3 away, 2-5 home)

• CSKA have lost two of the three UEFA competition ties in which they fell to defeat away from home in the first leg, but they were victorious in the most recent, overcoming Sporting CP in the 2015/16 UEFA Champions League play-offs (1-2 away, 3-1 home). They have never previously lost the first away leg by more than one goal.

• The biggest first-leg defecit to be overturned in the Europa League is 3-0, in 13/14 when Valencia won the 2nd leg 5-0

Team News
Aubameyang cup tied
Ospina, Maitland-Niles, Mkhitaryan out

 

..........laca
welbz.......Özil
...jack.....aaron
........xhaka
.you know the rest

 

Mustafi has to be dropped for this one.

An early goal would also calm a lot of nerves.

 

Think this'll get uncomfortable. Wouldn't surprise me if we got a repeat of Ostrich in the first knock out round. We'll go through but not before going a couple down.

 

They played their strongest team, not sure how their OAPs at the back will hold up with a short recovery time

 

Does Jack deserve a start? You’d have to say no, Mustafi definitley doesn’t

Lacazette
Iwobi - Özil - Welbeck
Xhaka - Ramsey
Nacho - Chambers - Kosc - Bellerin
Cech
​

Would be tempted to throw in Willock instead of Iwobi/Welbeck, would be invaluable experience. One of Nketiah/Nelson should get some time from the bench as well.

 

They're pretty dire. We'll hold serve (and hope for a CL rebirth).

 

I predict some squeaky bum time.

 

One early goal from us to deplete their already slim hopes. Heads will drop, space will open up, we'll win comfortably. Should be doing so regardless considering they're barely Championship level, baffled as to how they got this far.

 

Allowing the opposition acres of space is like a CSKA trademark, they always look that bad against decent/good opposition. Expecting more of the same and a 3-1 win. Already got one eye on the semi final draws, please no Atletico.

 

I think we can safely swap Özil for Wilshere and Chambers for Mustafi

 

This is a stronger lineup to me.

Lacazette
Welbeck - Iwobi - Özil
Xhaka - Ramsey
Kola - Nacho - Kosc - Bellerin
Cech​

 

The tie was over after the first game.
They are pretty dire, I'd be surprised if we don't win by at least 2 goals.

 

Cska are dire and hopeless.


CHARITY FC TO SHOW UP!!!!

 

Not to point out the obvious, but underestimating the opposition is pretty much the opening scene of every single Arsenal disaster movie.

 

I do wonder sometimes if people have never watched us before

 

Yup...I can't believe people have already forgotten about the scare Ottersunds gave us.

Every since we gave up a 4 nil lead vs Newcastle, I'll never count any team out.

 

Hopefully we can tap up their badge designer while out there.

 

I think they could improve the design of the football on their crest, but otherwise it's class.

 

At least they don't have two tones of red for no reason and a weird brown-y gold colour.