Big Match Breakdown: Arsenal v CSKA Moscow

Arsenal continue their bid for Europa League glory tonight, as they host Russian heavyweights CSKA Moscow in the first leg of their quarter-final.

Both sides head into this game looking for a fifth successive win. The Gunners produced a stellar 5-1 aggregate defeat of AC Milan in the last round, whilst CSKA edged past Olympique Lyonnais.

That all points to an entertaining tie, and the Coral News Team have the key stats and info in the latest Big Match Breakdown…

Head-to-Head

These clubs have met twice over their history, with both games in the 2006-07 Champions League group stage.

While the Gunners went on to win the group, they lost 1-0 in Moscow on matchday three, before a 0-0 draw at the Emirates in the reverse fixture.

Their record against Russian opposition could concern some fans of the North London club. They’ve won just two of eight games against Russian sides, losing four.

Likely XIs

Wenger has set his side up in a 4-2-3-1 system in each of their last five UEL games, with largely successful results. There’s no reason to think they’ll change that system.

Mohamed Elneny is the only man to have featured in all 10 of Arsenal’s European games this term, and is likely to start again. Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan could occupy the wings, with the returning Alexandre Lacazette leading the line.

As for CSKA, they’ve played a virtually flat 3-5-2 for most of the season. They’ve got an established defensive trio consisting of brothers Vasili and Aleksei Berezutski and Sergei Ignaschevich.

Meanwhile at the other end, talented Brazilian Vitinho and Leicester City loanee Ahmed Musa are likely to lead the line.