Arsenal fans are predicting a win for the Gunners against FC Köln in the opening match of their Europa League campaign.
Arsenal are in the Europa League for the first time in 20 years and need to get off to a strong start to keep confidence levels high for the remainder of the group stages, as well as ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge to face Premier League defending champions Chelsea on Sunday.
Fans clearly believe a win tonight is possible, with 50% voting for a win out of the three possible outcomes from our Twitter poll earlier today.
Arsenal fans, prediction ahead of tonight's #EuropaLeague game with FC Koln? #AFC #effzeh
— Crippy Cooke (@CrippyCooke) September 14, 2017
This may not be the most convincing poll, with 39% voting for a win for a Koln side who have lost three of their last four games in all competitions. But perhaps Arsenal’s form hasn’t been convincing enough to get everybody onside, or maybe they feel a second string XI might struggle in the competition.
Looking at the head-to-head between the two sides, you have to go all the way back to 1971 for a competitive meeting. Arsenal faced Köln on two occasions in the Fairs Cup that year, winning the home leg 2-1 and losing 1-0 away and being eliminated on away goals.
Arsenal have enjoyed two wins in their last two friendlies against Koln, however, beating them 4-0 in 2012 and 2-1 in 2011. I think, the Gunners would probably take a 2-1 win tonight though.
As long as the team comes away with three points and zero injuries it’ll be hard to complain, in my opinion.