Arsenal will play CSKA Moscow in the Europa League quarter-finals, giving Arsene Wenger a chance to beat one of the few teams he’s never won against.
Arsenal faced the Russian side twice in 2006 in the Champions League group stage, and failed to score a single goal against them. The away match ended 1-0 to the hosts, and the return game finished 0-0.
As it stands, CSKA Moscow are one of five teams Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal sides have played more than once and failed to beat. CSKA Moscow join Fiorentina, PAOK Salonika, PSG and Port Vale on the list.
2 – CSKA Moscow are one of just five teams that Arsene Wenger has faced more than once with Arsenal and failed to win against (also Fiorentina, PAOK Salonika, PSG and Port Vale). Bogey. pic.twitter.com/i2iKj6IzfD
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 16, 2018
With any luck, he can cut that list by one in April.
CSKA have already faced English opposition this season, losing twice to Manchester United in the Champions League. However, they’ve already overcome one of Arsenal’s Europa League group rivals in Red Star Belgrade.
They also beat Olympique Lyonnais in the round-of-16, progressing on away goals. Wenger shouldn’t underestimate their capacity for an upset.
The good news is that their top scorer in all competitions (Vitinho) only has 10 goals. After that, the next closest is Alan Dzagoev on seven. Vitinho scored one at Old Trafford, but is yet to open his Europa League account.
In fact, the side struggle to score in general, with only four goals in four games in the competition. Arsenal just need to break them down at the back.
After five goals against Milan, hopefully they can do so.