With their first group stage match kicking off on 16 September away to Dinamo Zagreb, with home fixtures swiftly following against Olympiacos and Bayern Munich, Gunners fans will be closely watching their team to see if Arsenal can be victorious in the 2015/16 Champions League
For those who stake money on the outcome, odds of around 20/1 are being offered so thoughts are that there could be some work to do to come out on top. For those who really believe in Arsene Wenger and his team, though, this is certainly a price to consider and those new to betting may want to follow a guide to online sports betting before the prices are slashed following hopefully successful early results.
Combining the talents of the manager and the new team, could Arsenal lift the trophy at the San Siro in Milan on the 28th May 2016?
Past Performance
It will be 10 years in 2016 since Arsenal took on Barcelona in France, where they beaten 2-1 in the Champions League final. It was their first time reaching the final, and they claimed the honour of being the first London club to get ever to this stage.
Since then they have not had the opportunity to look European honours in the eye as they have reached the heights of the quarter-finals on a number of occasions but progressed no further.
With Wenger still at the helm though, there is always a thirst to push as hard as possible, and so on the 10th anniversary of last being finalists, they could be looking to focus on being in Milan and going one better than in 2006.
The Road to Italy
Fate has offered a challenging initial stages for Arsenal if they want to progress to the latter parts of the competition. With their relegation from pot one of the draw – along with Porto and both Madrid clubs, they will need to focus all their energies.
The Team to Face their Opponents
With the close of the summer season transfer window on 1st September, Wenger decided not to sign any new outfield players. With this news still fresh in the media, all eyes will turn to the current team. Mesut Ozil is the obvious one to watch as a leading light on the field. In light of the lack of signings it’s hoped that news of his possible patellar tendon injury is one which won’t keep him off the field for long.
Wenger is still a force to be reckoned with though with the 20 years’ experience he has with the club and a welcome arrival is goalkeeper Peter Cech from Chelsea at a cost of £11 million.
It won’t be easy and the bookmakers reflect this in their odds, but Arsenal have always had grit and determination in everything they do. On the field, they are a coordinated machine of mind and muscle and it’s this drive which could well see them conquer opponents from across Europe. Arsenal have never been a team to take on a season laying down and it’s going to be no different this year, so keep an eye on them over the coming months and they could offer a few inspired surprises which will see them move towards the final next May.
