ARSENAL can wrap up qualification tonight in the Champions League. Will their opponents Anderlecht offer any test? Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79) gives us his view.
Arsenal v Anderlecht | Tuesday 19:45 | Sky Sports 5
Arsenal got out of jail two weeks ago in this tie. Arsene Wenger’s side scored two late goals in Brussels to snatch all three points from the devastated Belgians. You would imagine things will be a lot easier on Tuesday despite the prevailing feeling that Arsenal are yet to really click this season.
On Saturday they racked up two consecutive wins in the Premier League for the first time this season, but the 3-0 scoreline against winless Burnley flattered them. The match was similar to the previous weekend’s 2-0 win over Sunderland, in that summer signing Alexis Sanchez controlled the show. Will Wenger start him on Tuesday?
My original selection for this match was going to be Arsenal -1 at Ladbrokes 5/6, but I thought it’d be a little more adventurous price-wise. Plus, what if Sanchez doesn’t play and Arsenal struggle to grind out the goals like we witnessed on Saturday? Also, Arsenal have a nasty habit of easing off in Champions League groups when qualification looks (or is) secured.
Instead I’ll bank my faith in Anderlecht drawing a blank on Tuesday night. The Belgian side are one of the poorest sides in the 32-team group stage and have won just one game in their last seven competitive fixtures. If we drill down further into their specific Champions League results, it makes desperate reading.
They’ve qualified for the group stages in the last three seasons and picked up just one win in 15 matches. In seven of those 15 matches they’ve failed to score and I’m siding with that to be happen again. Anderlecht are P15 W1 D4 L10 in the Champions League groups since 2012, I’ve faith in Arsenal winning to nil tonight at 6/4 with Skybet.
TOPICS European Football FootballBest Bet
Arsenal v Anderlecht – Arsenal win to nil (6/4 Skybet)
