Soccer News – Ostersunds-Arsenal

Sweden’s Ostersunds FK hosts Arsenal in a match from the 1/16-finals of Europa League. Let’s have a look at this game.

Ostersunds qualified for the 1/16-finals of the Europa League after finishing second in its group, alongside the teams of Athletic Bilbao, Zorya and Hertha BSC. Everyone thought that the Swedish team would be an underdog in this group, but Ostersunds surprised a lot of people by winning 11 points – the same amount as the winner Athletic Bilbao. Their record in the group was 3 wins, 2 draws and just one loss.

But now the Scandinavians will have a really difficult task against Arsenal – one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Arsenal didn’t have any problems to win their Europa League group with 13 points. They were in the company of Red Star, Koln and BATE. They won the group with a record of 4 wins, one draw and one loss.

For Arsenal it’s very important to try to win the Europa League this season. The big goal in front of the Gunners is qualifying for the next edition of the Champions League, but it’s going to be very difficult this to happen through a Top 4 finish in the Premier League. This is why Arsenal’s most realistic way of reaching the Champions League is by winning Europa League – just like Manchester United did it last year.

The Gunners surely have a good enough squad to do it. Of course, there are some very good teams in the competition right now, but arguably Arsenal are one of the favourites to win the competition.

It’d be very surprising if Ostersunds manages to trouble Arsenal in this phase of the competition. The English team is a huge favourite here, especially with the second leg being held at home.