Premier League club listed as favourites to win Champions League after latest round of fixtures
Arsenal are leading the way in the Champions League group stage, after earning their sixth consecutive win in the competition on Wednesday.
Goals from Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli saw Arsenal beat Club Brugge 3-0, extending what has been a spectacular European run.
The Gunners have conceded just one goal across their six fixtures, scoring 17 along the way to top the table.
Manchester City beat Real Madrid 2-1 on Wednesday, and also maintain a strong hope of finishing in the top eight and entering the last 16.
Liverpool beat Inter 1-0 and sit just outside the top eight, while Chelsea‘s loss to Atalanta on Tuesday has left them with work to do in January.
Arsenal lead bookies favourites for Champions League glory
Madueke was in fine form against Club Brugge on Wednesday, with the winger’s first goal stealing many of the headlines.
Picking up the ball just inside the opposition half, the England international drove forward before smashing a long-range effort in off the bar.
| Club Brugge | Match stats | Arsenal |
| 49% | Possession | 51% |
| 18 | Shots | 20 |
| 7 | Shots on target | 11 |
| 1.10 | Expected goals (xG) | 2.99 |
| 1 | Big chances | 5 |
It was a fantastic moment for the 23-year-old, who followed it up with a neat header just after the break.
Arsenal had made several changes for the clash, but maintained a level of performance that underlined the strength in depth at Mikel Arteta‘s disposal this season.
It is for that reason that the Gunners have emerged among the favourites to finally end their long wait for Champions League glory this season.
Just four points from Arsenal’s final two group fixtures, against Inter Milan and Karait Almaty, will be enough to see Arteta’s side top the league stage, earning them home return legs until a potential final.
The North London club’s odds of winning the Champions League have shortened as far as 7/2, leading Bayern Munich (9/2), and Manchester City (13/2), according to one major bookmaker.
Who are Arsenal’s biggest threats for Champions League glory?
Arsenal have only ever made it to the Champions League final once. In 2006, when they lost to Barcelona in Paris.
Last season looked as if it could finally see the Gunners return, but eventual winner PSG would be the ones to stop them in their tracks.
This season could prove different, however, and a first-place finish in the group would be a massive benefit.
Bayern arguably present the biggest challengers, but Arsenal have already defeated Vincent Kompany‘s team this season.
And with PSG, Barcelona, and Manchester City not hitting their best form yet, Arteta’s side will feel confident. The season is long, however, and a two-leg knockout in the latter months could play out differently.