If there’s one thing Arsenal FC does under Arsene Wenger it’s qualify for the UEFA Champions League. They’re consistent; you can set your watch to the Gunners finishing in the top four as they’ve done it 20 years in a row. In fact, Wenger has accomplished the feat in all 20 seasons that he’s been in charge at the Emirates. Arsenal leapfrogged Tottenham Hotspur at the end of last season to finish second in the Premier League behind only champions Leicester City.
Their reward for a strong finish? A somewhat favorable UCL grouping. Arsenal are in Group A which includes Paris Saint Germain, the ruling oligarchs of France’s Ligue 1, Swiss Super League powerhouse FC Basel, and PFC Ludogrets Razgrad of Bulgaria.
The Gunners get underway tonight in the French capital, and the commencing of Champions League means an increase in football wagering. All over Europe, you’re going to see a rise in the number of wagers on European football right now. Whether you’re looking to bet on European Cup, or domestic leagues, or anything else. Be sure to consider these top bingo bonuses – exclusive promotion codes this year when placing your bets. PSG are always dangerous (at least in the group stages) during this tournament and they’re sporting 1/1 odds to win the match tonight over the Gunners, according to most sports books.
The betting community sees a possible draw this evening at 13/5 odds, with the chances of an Arsenal victory coming in at 14/5. Paris Saint Germain are not the same juggernaut club they were last year. Losing star players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Luiz would hurt any club and Les Parisiens aren’t at the level they were in 2015-16.
However, it’s looking like two teams advancing from this group will be the reigning French champions and Arsenal FC. Both teams kind of caught a break in their UEFA Champions League group assignment, as Ludogrets and Basel are not a serious threat.
While Wenger has mastered making the top four and getting into Europe, he’s plateaued recently regarding where he takes the team in the tournament. He’s consistently reached the round of 16 every year since 2010-11, but hasn’t taking the Gunners any further. While Arsenal haven’t advanced very deep in the tournament during the 2010s, they reached the quarter finals three years in a row, 2008-10, with a semi-final appearance in 2009.
Wenger also led Arsenal to the Champions League final in 2005-06, so he does have a proven track record of success in this tournament to build upon. As of now Sky Bet sees Arsenal as 12/1 long shots to win the Champions League outright.
Still, the North London side, has received a more favorable grouping than what Arsenal FC has truly had in recent years
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous radio and television talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram and Sound Cloud.