Why Arsenal can win the Champions League this season

The bookies have slashed the odds on the Gunners winning the Champions League this term, with Arsène Wenger’s team winning their first two matches in the so-called Group of Death.

While a double header against Borussia Dortmund will test Arsenal‘s European credentials, there appears every chance that they will once again reach the knockout stage of the competition and potentially go all the way.

Here are three reasons why the Gunners can win the Champions League:

Mesut Özil

Özil is among the world’s best players and it’s startling that Real Madrid allowed the German to leave, although this is Arsenal’s gain and the midfielder can help the London side go a long way in this competition whilst weaving his magic in Europe’s premier competition.

The 24-year-old demonstrated on his debut at Sunderland that he will take no time to slot into Arsenal’s attacking style of football, with the playmaker helping Real reach the business end of the competition over the past few seasons.

Arsenal beat Bayern on their own patch last term

OK, so the damage had already been done by Bayern Munich at the last sixteen stage of the Champions League last term, although the Gunners remain the only team to inflict defeat on the champions of Europe in 2013, with that result proving to be a turning point last term as Arsenal clambered above Spurs to finish in the top four of the Premier League.

The confidence drawn from winning at the Allianz Arena shouldn’t be underestimated as Wenger’s team set about emerging from Group F and beyond. They won’t be fearful of facing Bayern, Real Madrid or Barcelona should they encounter these tough opponents at a later stage of the competition.

The Gunners excellent attacking options

Olivier Giroud is no longer the subject of ridicule after a flying start to the season and the Frenchman is fast on his way to establishing himself as one of the world’s top strikers.

Theo Walcott is also likely to be deployed in a forward position following the arrival of Özil, while Mikel Arteta and Lukas Podolski will return to provide options along with Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere.

Then there is Aaron Ramsey who is like a new signing based on the Welshman’s impressive displays so far this season. Forget Gareth Bale, Rambo is the most in-form player from Wales who might yet be worth £86million in seasons to come!

Matthew Glazier is the Managing Editor of www.bettingpro.com, an award-winning sports, news and betting website.