Arsenal to go all the way? Gunners top latest Europa League odds charts

The latest statistics doing the rounds on Friday place Arsenal at the very top of the favourites list to clinch glory in this season’s Europa League.

Elneny makes sure

Mikel Arteta’s men were of course back in European action last night, in a Last-16 first-leg meeting with Olympiacos.

The Gunners entered the clash with revenge firmly on their minds, having been ousted from the competition by the Greek heavyweights just last year.

And, when all was said and done at the Karaiskakis Stadium, this is precisely what Arsenal managed.

The visitors opened the scoring just past the half-hour mark, when Martin Odegaard lashed home his first goal in the club’s colours from 25 yards:

Martin Odegaard, THAT is spectacular! 😱🔥

What a way to get his debut Arsenal goal… 🚀 pic.twitter.com/OnX6exkHvp

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 11, 2021

Olympiacos went on to pull level early in the 2nd-half, though, when Youssef El-Arabi took full advantage of Dani Ceballos’ costly loss of possession.

But Arsenal were not to be denied, showcasing impressive resiliency to first retake the lead courtesy of Gabriel Magalhaes’ wonderful header, before making sure of the victory through Mohamed Elneny’s screamer 5 minutes from time:

Elneny only scores screamers. 😎🚀

Moments after Gabriel put them back in front, Arsenal’s evening just got that little bit better! 🔥 #UEL pic.twitter.com/dlJ6SV12cD

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 11, 2021

El glory?

As such, ahead of next week’s return leg at the Emirates, Mikel Arteta and co. have appear to have put one foot firmly in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

And, as outlined above, the manner of their latest performance has since given rise to an intriguing set of statistics, surrounding the Gunners’ chances of going all the way in the competition.

The figures come courtesy of statisticians FiveThirtyEight, who suggest that Arsenal are now joint favourites to clinch European glory, and with it, a spot in next season’s Champions League.

538’s latest odds table, which takes into account a complex formula including form, xG and a host of other extenuating factors, gives the north Londoners a 34% chance of making the Europa League final, and an 18% chance of lifting the trophy.

Manchester United, despite their 1-1 home stalemate with AC Milan, boast similar 18% odds, with Tottenham just behind Dutch champions Ajax in 4th:

Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard, at 22, handed Norwegian captaincy

‘I look up, not down’ – Jose Mourinho aims thinly veiled dig at Arsenal ahead of North London Derby

Source: 101greatgoals.com