Arsenal continue European scoring spree with Shakhtar drubbing
Published:Arsenal continue to stroll through their Champions League qualifying group, and Arsene Wenger’s side were extremely impressive en route to a 5-1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk last night.
Cesc Fabregas returned to the side after his injury lay-off, and he and Jack Wilshere formed a deadly combination in the centre of midfield, as the forward three of Tomas Rosicky, Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh decimated the Shakhtar defence.
Despite the poor strength of Arsenal’s group, Wenger’s side can only beat the teams put in front of them, and they have done so in impeccable fashion so far, and the 12/1 on offer for Arsenal to win the Champions League may be worth taking.
Five different Arsenal players contributed with a goal last night, but Chamakh is proving one of the signings of the season after nothing his third goal of the competition, and his sixth goal for Arsenal this season.
He joins Fabregas on the Champions League top scorer list, one goal behind current leader Samuel Eto-o, and Chamakh and Fabregas are both 16/1 to finish as the Champions League top scorer.
Arsenal are now 1/9 to top Group H, but will still have to go to Ukraine in a fortnight and come away with a point against Shakhtar to secure top spot.
Despite their drubbing on Tuesday night, Shakhtar are a better side than that performance and will prove different opposition on their home turf in a game Arsenal fans shouldn’t take the game for granted.
But either a point or three would guarantee Arsenal’s place in the second round and with their current form in the competition, they are a side many teams would wish to avoid.
Eto’o is 5/1 to finish as the top scorer behind David Villa and Lionel Messi, both 9/2. See the full UEFA Champions League football betting odds market here.
