Going into the last game of the Champions League group phase sees Arsenal level with Paris St. Germain with 11 points a piece at the top of Group A. Arsenal travels to Switzerland for a tough fixture against Basel, while PSG entertain Ludogorets in France. As the table stands, PSG has the edge over Arsenal in the table due to scoring one more away goal in their two games with Arsenal. In order for the Gunners to take the top spot, PSG will need to drop points at home against Ludogorets. With everything to play for, Arsenal absolutely must deliver a fourth victory in Europe this season.
Can Arsenal finally perform in Europe?
It has been a long time out in the cold for Arsenal, having been eliminated in the Champions League’s Round of 16 in the last six seasons running. A big contributing factor is failing to win their group and drawing a heavyweight straight off the bat – Barcelona last season, and Bayern Munchen for two straight seasons prior to crashing out against Monaco in 2015. Wenger will be desperate to avoid this trend and finish top of the group to potentially draw an opponent with less pedigree. But with it now out of their hands, the Arsenal faithful will need to keep one eye on the game in Paris.
Their form has been fairly solid in Europe so far. Two draws against high-quality PSG, a brace of victories against Ludogorets, at one point winning 2:3, after going two down in the first half, demonstrates an Arsenal with confidence and character perhaps greater than in previous seasons. But as always, their capacity to lose focus and slip up when it matters is still there, waiting, just below the surface.
Having beaten Basel 2:0 in the first fixture, Arsenal will go into the game on Tuesday on a good run of form, knowing that they have the capability to beat their opponents and that only a win will do to go through in top spot.
Fortress Basel
Travelling to Basel is nothing to be scoffed at. Basel has a daunting record against English clubs. Their 1:1 draw against Liverpool in 2014/15 ended a four-game run of victories over English clubs in the Champions League, and Arsenal’s win in September was only their second defeat to English opponents in the Competition. Basel is also currently on a 19 game unbeaten domestic run in the Swiss Super League.
However, It has been a particularly tough European campaign for Basel so far, currently tied on two points with Ludogorets at the bottom of Group A. No points taken against PSG, or in their first game against Arsenal, Basel’s only points have come from two draws with Ludogorets. Crucially, they conceded in their home games against the Bulgarians but drew 0:0 in the away fixture, meaning they will crash out bottom of the group on head-to-head away goals if they are still even on points at 90 minutes on Tuesday. Like Arsenal, they must take points on Tuesday to have any hope to qualify for the Europa.
Value in an Arsenal win?
All this sets up what could likely be an enthralling game, as the two sides will have to throw everything at each other in the slim hope of gaining an edge on their rivals.
Skybet currently has good value on an Arsenal win at 13/10 and 5/2 for a draw. Considering Arsenal have conceded in all but one game in this European campaign, Arsenal/BTTS Yes looks very interesting, 9/2 on Bet365. If you think Arsenal are going to throw it away, Coral has your back with 19/10.
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