Champions League Win Eases Pressure On Arsene Wenger

After the final whistle sounded in Udinese last night there was no one more relieved than Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. The Gunners showed spirit, passion and desire as they battled back from a goal down at the break to win the match 2-1 and progress through to the Champions League group stage with an aggregate score of 3-1 and, for the moment at least, ease the cauldron of pressure that has been close to boiling point during the last two weeks. Arsenal will learn their fate today at 4.30pm when the draw is announced live on Sky Sports as they prepare to embark on a 14th consecutive season in Europe's lucrative competition. They are in the top seeds bracket so should avoid the majority of Europe's big guns.

Wenger will now need to prove his credentials in the transfer market, but he doesn't have long as the window slams shut at midnight on 31st August. The sales of star players Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri have left gaping holes in the team but on the bright side has vastly increased Arsenal's bank balance and thus the amount of money available to Wenger which he simply must spend.

Arsenal will now focus their intentions on the Premier League and what better way to rejuvenate their season then by picking up three points on Sunday against the defending champions Manchester United. However, the odds are stacked against them. Man Utd only dropped two points at home last season and have won five of the last six meetings between themselves and Arsenal at Old Trafford. Paddy Power have Man Utd as the overwhelming 4/9 favourites, while Arsenal are handed long odds of 13/2, with a draw priced at 10/3. Even though the Gunners face a tough task, if they lose then you can expect Wenger's current odds of 6/1 to be cut in the Next Premier League Manager To Be Sacked Betting.

Arsenal Trophy Odds

• 20/1 – Premier League


• 9/1 – FA Cup


• 9/1 – Carling Cup


• 25/1 – Champions League