Champions League Analysis 2016/2017 Group A: Is Arsenal Going To Top Their Group For The First Time In Six Years?

Champions League Analysis 2016/2017 Group A: Is Arsenal Going To Top Their Group For The First Time In Six Years?

By Ewah Chika.

Three wins in four games, 12 goals scored, two conceded all in the Champions League group stage is a record any manager will be proud to be associated with and that is exactly where Arsene Wenger finds himself presently with Arsenal.


Last night in the cold at Vasil Levski Stadium in Bulgaria, Arsenal came from 2-0 down to beat Bulgarian champions Ludogorets 3-2 at the end of 90 minutes. Arsenal extended their unbeaten run to 15 games in all competitions and showed the have improved a lot from last season considering the fact that champions don't have to play well to win every game .

This is also a big result for the Gunners considering they played without six of their regular starters as as the likes of Alex Iwobi (started from the bench), Santi Cazorla (returning from injury), Theo Walcott (injured), Hector Bellerin (rested), Petr Cech (rested) and  Nacho Monreal (rested) did not play on the night . Wenger also showed his team now have a 'plan B' as they shifted from their quick passing possession energetic style to play more direct with long balls for striker Oliver Giroud to attack. This style will come in handy in difficult games this season as certain teams have mastered Arsenal's previous style playing more compact and leaving no space behind which was the case in the barren draw against Middlesbrough and in the first 60 minutes against Sunderland before the introduction of Giroud changed the game as Arsenal won 4-1 on the day.

Arsenal are not only in top form, they have also matured a lot and have Mesut Ozil at his best playing as the team's engine box having scored a goal of the season contender against Ludogorets on the night .

For now, Arsenal have qualified for the knockout but the job isn't done yet as the North London club must strive to finish top of their group considering they have failed to make it past the second round for the past six seasons as they have been drawn with the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Monaco after finishing second each season.