Arsenal v AZ Alkmaar – Champions League Group H

Arsenal should have been sitting a lot more comfortably at the top of Group H, and would be doing so were it not for a late equaliser by Dutch Champions AZ Alkmaar on Match day three. The Dutch have a reputation for holding one of the best home records in European competition, and Arsenal looked to have broken through that barrier, but could not close out the game. Arsenal will qualify from Group H with no problem, but now they are only one point ahead of second placed Olympiacos, which will be a little disappointing to Gunners boss Arsene Wenger. Arsenal have been playing well this season, lighting up games with attacking football, and battling hard when they need to.

In the North London derby on Saturday, Arsenal trounced rivals Tottenham Hotspur 3-0, in a game which was not particularly fluent at the Emirates Stadium, but was one which will have pleased Wenger for the group spirit that his side showed. Often labelled as being a bit lightweight in physical games, the Gunners worked hard to gain the three points to put some distance between themselves and Spurs. In the Champions League, Arsenal were somewhat blessed by being drawn in one of the easiest groups going, but they have at least made it entertaining. They had to fight back from a 2-0 deficit to win on Match Day one, earned a comfortable win on Match day two, then suffered the agony of a late equaliser on Match Day three.

AZ Alkmaar boss Ronal Koeman will look forward to taking on Arsenal again as a manager, as he is on a five match unbeaten streak against them. They are a long way off the title pace in their domestic league, and they will have to travel to London without their top scorer, Mounir El Hamdaoui, who picked up an injury in a domestic cup game recently. The Dutch side aren’t in any kind of shape at the moment, with just two wins in eleven matches in all competitions. That is not the form to be taking to the Emirates, and they can be assured of a stern test in front of a passionate crowd of Gooners. Arsenal are leading the way in the stats chart, when it comes to having produced the most shots on target in the Champions League so far, so the AZ defence could have a long, busy night.

Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie can’t stop scoring at the moment, and is a vital cog in the Arsenal machine, especially while they are suffering so many injuries. In stark contrast to Liverpool, the Gunners have been coping well while some of the star players have been missing, with Wenger not afraid to give his youngsters a chance. When you have the class of player in your youth system which Arsenal have, then it’s easy to see why, and it is something which the club prides itself on. With an absentee list which includes Clichy, Eduardo, Denilson, Rosicky, Walcott, Wilshere, Fabianski, Bendtner and more, Arsenal are still producing and are chasing Champions League success as well as pushing Manchester United and Chelsea hard in the Premier League.

Arsenal to win: 1/5 at Stan James
Draw: 6/1 at Bet365
AZ Alkmaar to win: 16/1 at Paddy Power

Betting Advice: When it comes to Arsenal playing at home, you are usually guaranteed a banker. They have won all of their league games there so far this season, and they boast an rich history of success at home in the Champions League, where only Manchester United have actually managed to win in recent years. Their defence may not be the strongest, but they can usually outscore teams with relative ease, can the Gunners. AZ Alkmaar on the other hand have been a bit of a disappointment as one of the new faces in the Champions League. They have picked up two draws and loss, with only two goals to their name. That’s in contrast to Arsenal’s six goals and seven points.
Arsenal to win 2-0: 11/2 at BetFred