Champions League games and Arsenal are never two things that go hand in hand, and almost all of the time our predictions go right out the window.
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It’s always difficult to judge a side going into a European game like this, it’s almost like featuring in a local derby each time because everything is different.
Form isn’t accounted for and with the pressure and expectancy that comes with a large crowd on a spectacular evening at the Emirates there’s always room for surprises.
Arsenal haven’t made it easy for themselves against lesser known opposition, and whilst FC Basel might seem like a straightforward game, the Swiss side are rocking in terms of league form.
Last 5 League Games
- Played: 5
- Won: 5
- Scored: 12
- Conceded: 3
The simple fact is that Basel are currently killing the Swiss Super League, and having won nine games from nine are sitting pretty on 27 points.
How much can we read into that? Well, not too much. The Swiss League has always had its criticism for being a lacklustre competition with only one winner every year.
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Think of it a bit like Scottish football, in the last 13 years Basel have been crowned champions of the division on 10 occasions, so they’re no strangers to success.
The quality of football might not be what we’re used to seeing, but in a Champions League game like this that doesn’t have to matter.
Basel will be brimming with confidence having made the perfect start to their season, and having picked up a point at home to Ludogrets will want to get their group stage off the mark properly.
As you can see from the stats above, Basel don’t just beat a team, they control everything about the game and ensure the scoreline cushion is there to play attractive football.
How could this work in Arsenal’s favour? Well, the fact that they haven’t been thrown a really big test so far this season shows us that they might not be prepared.
Away from home and in front of an Emirates crowd that are still buzzing from the Chelsea victory it won’t be easy and they won’t have had too many chances to be chasing the play.
Champions League Form
- Last Game: Basel 1-1 Ludogrets
It was a frustrating night for the hosts, who found themselves on the back foot for the majority of the game thanks to an opener from Jonathan Cafu in the 45th minute.
That last-minute goal in the first-half changed everything about the game, and suddenly Ludogrets felt comfortable to come out and defend their way to three points.
Experience always comes in handy in these competitions though and it didn’t take long for Basel to break down the door, bagging an equaliser in the 80th minute.
It was all a bit rushed for these two sides who you could tell were getting back into the swing of things for a lot of the 90 minutes.
How does this affect Arsenal? Well, this was a game Basel were expected to breeze past, and instead they’re gonna have to pick up points away from home.
That way they need to stop the big boys like us and PSG from cruising to the two top spots in Group A, it’ll be a massive job but this is a team that will take anyone on right now.
Top Goalscorer – Seydou Doumbia (6)
For those of you that are big FIFA nuts, you’ll be more than familiar with what this fella can offer, and it’s been a superb start to life with his new club.
Currently on loan from Roma, the 28-year-old has bagged six goals in eight games and is steering the ship for Basel’s season offering something on and off the pitch.
As an Ivory Coast international, Doumbia has played against some of the best in the world and he’ll know how to figure out Arsenal’s defence.
He’s unpredictable at times and doesn’t like to do things the conventional way so that should keep Kostafi on their toes.
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