British bookmakers William Hill make Atletico hot favourites to win the competition, but explained why Arsenal fans still have reason for optimism.
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Aaron Ramsey will be hoping to be involved despite a deep cut on his leg which was stapled closed during Thursday’s Europa League draw at CSKA Moscow.
On the night when the Reds were securing a 5-1 aggregate win over Manchester City, the Serie A side produced a major shock in overturning a 4-1 first-leg deficit to beat Barcelona on away goals. This is a whole other level.
A job at Arsenal, perhaps…
“Everybody has been training, so it’s good news”.
Add to that the fact that Arsenal have not kept an away clean sheet since December, and the 6/10 (1.60) play on both teams to score at dabblebet looks fairly safe. That is very much the sense, even within the camp.
Kristijan Bistrovic struck an effort just over Cech’s crossbar soon after as Viktor Goncharenko’s side went in search of a second goal to really open up the tie.
Goalkeeper Cech agreed with Lacazette’s assessment, saying: “There is a big responsibility for everyone because we know with the position we are in the league”.
They could claim four straight Premier League wins for the first time since a sequence of five victories between October and November 2014 under Alan Pardew. “But we have a chance”.
“Not only that, you play a European competition for a cup and for a cup the club has never won”.
“You need to keep the progression”, he replied when asked what winning a European trophy does for a team.
Anyway, things are going swimmingly on the pitch as the season comes towards its conclusion.
“Their Europa League form has been in stark contrast to their Premier League form during the second half of this season and they have every chance of progressing”, Crilly said.
“Cup-tied in Europe, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has taken to the Premier League nicely, and could score in a fifth successive game – against a club he almost joined, in a part of the world where he’s made his mark before.” .
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Newcastle have no fresh injury concerns but could finally give a first start to Islam Slimani, who has barely featured since his loan move from Leicester due to injury and the Magpies facing his parent club last week.
