Arsenal to start strong in Champions League

Champions League: Dinamo Zagreb vs Arsenal

Arsenal traveled to Zagreb after comfortable home win against Stoke and will be prepared to start strong in Europe. Arsenal players scored only 5 goals in the first five PL fixtures this season, but they've also created more than 20 chances per game. Arsenal need to improve their efficiency and this game is the best opportunity to do so. Dinamo Zagreb will probably defend from the first minute and try to score from counter-attacks, but if Arsenal manage to score an early goal it could get disastrous for the home team.

Arsene Wenger left Bellerin and Ramsey in London and will make two changes with Debuchy and Ox starting this game. Both players are more than decent replacements despite Bellerin's outstanding form.

Injuries
Dinamo Zagreb: Schildenfeld, Pavičič, Šovšič, Gonçalo
Arsenal: Wilshere, Welbeck, Mertesacker, Rosicky, Bellerin, Ramsey

Arsenal possible lineup: Cech - Debuchy - Gabriel - Koscoielny - Monreal- Coquelin - Cazorla - Ozil- Sanchez - Ox - Walcott

I expect Arsenal to dominate the game and win by (at least) 1 goal margin.

Arsenal AH -1 (1.925 bet365) 7/10

25.2. - Matchday Wednesday

The 1st leg of the last-16 will end up with two interesting matches. Monaco will face the Gunners in London and Atletico Madrid are looking for a positive result against Bayer Leverkusen.

Arsenal - Monaco

Monaco are one of the easiest sides to face the Gunners at this stage in terms of individual quality and experience in the Champions League. Although the French side had the best defensive record in the group stage (conceding only 1 goal and scoring 4 goals).

Arsenal lost against Barcelona, AC Milan and 2x Bayern Munich at the last-16 stage in the last four years. I'm sure they are more than ready to get something out of it this time.
The Gunners are in good home form (9 consecutive wins) and with all the squad available for Arsene Wenger, there's a smell of home advantage. Time for Sanchez and Ozil to prove their worth (or not). I also think Wenger won't risk too much if its not necessary.

On the other side we have motivated Monaco with stable defance and midfield with the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Anthony Martial, Yannick Ferreira Carrasco and Joao Moutinho.

Under 2.5 (1.70 Bet365) 6/10

26.10. - Matchday Saturday

Crystal Palace - Arsenal

Arsenal lost their first CL game in midweek game against BVB and I'm sure Wenger will keep team spirit as high as it possible before clash against Chelsea in cup game. Flamini is back in the squad so we might see one or two rotations, but I don't think this will impact the game. Arsenal will try to kill the game asap. Away win is most possible result, we'll give a try.

Crystal Palace lost their manager in midweek, so I don't know how high is motivation in the squad at the moment. They are likely to concede, the only question here is if they can score against Arsenal.

Arsenal 2nd HT (1.72 Bet365) 8/10


Bayer Leverkusen - Augsburg

Leverkusen will maintain their superb form after high win over Shaktar in the CL. They are just one point behind Bayern Munich and have a great opportunity to put some pressure on it.

On the other hand we have Augsburg which will put all their efforts not to be relegated, but they'll have to search for points somewhere else.

Home win (1.60 Bet365) 8/10

6.10. - Matchday Sunday

Norwich - Chelsea

Chelsea need points today and Mourinho will do everything to secure it. Blues are improving every game and I really hope Mata will start today's game.

Away win (1.61 Bet365) 8/10


WBA - Arsenal

If Arsenal manage to sustain their current form, they will win this game. Arsene Wenger lost Sagna in last win over Napoli, but young Jenkinson should be a decent replacement.

On the other hand West Brom won at Old Trafford last weekend and will be full of confidence.

I'm moving towards Arsenal's win, but I'd rather pick over 2.5 goals for this one.

28.9. - Matchday Saturday

Aston Villa - Manchester City

Aston Villa had bad performance at home against Tottenham in Capital One Cup this week. Benteke is out for next few weeks and Villa might struggle to score against Manchester City as they did against Tottenham.

Manchester City are in great form since their Champions League away win. They convincingly won derby against Manchester United last weekend and represents one of the main candidates for Premier League trophy this season. Pellegrini rested few players in their last Capital One Cup game against Wigan, which are expected to be fully fit today. He knows that his team will need to take advantage and get results against middle and bottom table teams to reach their main goal.

Away win (1.55 Bet365) 8/10


Manchester United - WBA

Manchester United won derby against Liverpool in Capital One Cup and will have to bounce back in the PL after big lose against Manchester City last weekend. Robin Van Persie is back and will be involved against West Brom.

West Brom had negative result at home against Arsenal in Capital One Cup this week. Arsenal played mostly with youngsters and they succeeded after penalties. West Brom players should be a little bit tired after long midweek game.

Man U don't give us much value at 1.30, but I do believe its priced right and this should be comfortable home win.

Swansea - Arsenal

Arsenal is another title contender in great form lately. Arsene Wenger rested all key players in midweek game against WBA as we mentioned above. We were able to see young players like Gnabry, Olsson, Hayden, Akomp, Esfield etc. Arsenal won last seven away games and have big ambitions to rule the top of the PL. We expect Ozil and co. will pick up points at Liberty Stadium.

Swansea were never an easy hosts and they have ability to score today based on their current form. They lost thier last game against Birmingham in Capital One Cup, but it would be hard to fight on several fronts for their short bench. You might consider BTS, both teams are playing passing and attacking football.

14.9. - Matchday Saturday

Sunderland vs Arsenal 

Arsenal surely have upper hand in this one and newcomer Ozil can give Arsenal a boost. Rosicky is out for this game, because of hamstring injury from international game this week. Anyways, Arsenal did great comeback in the PL after first game defeat against Aston Villa. If they can push their form we can expect great game today from Gunners. I think Wilshere, Ramsey and Ozil will cover midfield, Walcott and Cazorla on sides and Giroud upfront.

Di Canio still didn't found the right first eleven, which would provide stable side. The Black Cats won only 1 point from the first 3 games in the PL and might struggle against Gunners. Sunderland are certainly in poor form, so I do not expect them making any big troubles to Arsenal.

Away win (1.67 Bet365) 8/10

UPDATE:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Sagna, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Ramsey, Wilshere, Ozil, Walcott, Giroud

Subs: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Monreal, Frimpong, Ryo, Gnabry, Akpom