Arsenal v Ostersunds: Wenger's men to stroll against the Swedes

Arsenal v Ostersunds
Thursday 22 February, 20:05
Live on BT Sport Extra

Gunners have an eye on Wembley date

Having won 3-0 in Sweden last week, Arsenal are in total control of this tie, and only a monumental disaster will prevent them from reaching the last 16. The Gunners are currently the second favourites to win the Europa League at 5.30, with only Atletico Madrid ahead of them at 4.00. By the way, I would advise snapping up that Atletico price now, because I can see them winning the tournament. They have a great squad, they've won the Europa League before under Diego Simeone, and they've recently reached two Champions League finals.

Having played a very strong line-up in the Winter City, Arsene Wenger will now be tempted to shuffle his pack ahead of the EFL Cup final against Manchester City, which takes place at Wembley on Sunday. Whoever does turn out for the Gunners will certainly be fully motivated, as an eye-catching performance could win them a place in the team for the weekend.

Arsenal have won their last three matches in all competitions, and they have scored 11 goals in the process. If you stretch back a bit further, they have won eight of their last 11 outings at the Emirates. Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is ineligible, Alex Lacazette is injured, so Danny Welbeck may once again spearhead the attack.

Ostersunds keen to go out with dignity

Ostersunds' lack of recent competitive football made all the difference last week, as Arsenal swept them aside at the Jamtkraft Arena. Graham Potter's side made errors they wouldn't normally make - keeper Aly Keita spilled a routine shot for Nacho Monreal's opener, the second goal was a hideous own-goal, and by the time Mesut Ozil had added a third, the tie had raced away from OFK.

The Swedish side's best work in this competition has been at home, and their away record is patchy. They lost in Bilbao against Athletic Club and were beaten 3-1 at PAOK in the qualifiers, and their only wins on the road were at Luxembourg's Fola Esch and Ukraine's Zorya.

Ostersunds have travelled from the fourth tier of Swedish football to the first under English manager Graham Potter, and won the Swedish Cup. Frankly, their progress to this stage of the Europa League has been miraculous.

Arsenal to show little mercy

Arsenal's players will be keen to catch Wenger's eye, and their recent home form suggests they will win this handsomely. Ostersunds have only just returned to competitive action after their winter break, and their limitations were brutally exposed last week.

I'll happily back Arsenal -1.5 & -2.0 on the Asian Handicap at 1.99.

Gunners to keep a clean sheet?

Arsenal have only conceded one goal at home in the Europa League this season, and even though domestically they have conceded at least once in each of their last five matches at the Emirates, you wonder just how many chances a demoralised Ostersunds will create.

If you do fancy Arsenal to win to nil, it's available at 2.18.

RECOMMENDED BETS

Back Arsenal -1.5 & -2.0 on the Asian Handicap at 1.99

Back Atletico Madrid to win the Europa League at 4.00