The Top Flight
Fansided

Europa League: Chelsea and Arsenal show they are favorites to win UEL

By Orri Benatar

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's third goal with Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Group E match between Arsenal and Vorskla Poltava at Emirates Stadium on September 20, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's third goal with Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Group E match between Arsenal and Vorskla Poltava at Emirates Stadium on September 20, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Chelsea and Arsenal proved they can win a European trophy after their victories on Thursday. The Europa League trophy could be returning to London.

The Europa League began for Chelsea and Arsenal in the most predictable way possible, wins. The Blues traveled to Greece to face PAOK and took the match 1-0. Willian converted early to extend his impressive streak of European night involvement. The Brazillian has been involved in 13 goals in his last 15 starts in the Champions League and Europa League.

Maurizio Sarri went with most of the first-team in night one. Alvaro Morata and Pedro made up the front line while Eden Hazard got a much-needed rest before Sunday’s game at West Ham. Davide Zappacosta and Andreas Christensen got starting nods and could for the rest of the competition. Chelsea is hoping to remain perfect before their home match against Videoton on October 4th to continue the Europa League.

The Gunners kicked off right after their Blue neighbors on Thursday. Arsenal hosted Ukrainian side Vorskla and dominated in a 4-2 victory. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice to get off to a great start in a competition he is very familiar with. Danny Welbeck started and got a goal with Mesut Ozil adding the fourth off the bench.

Arsenal’s defense was changed from the win over Newcastle with Stephan Lichtsteiner and Rob Holding joining Sokratis and Monreal in the back line. Bernd Leno’s Arsenal debut could have gone better. He conceded both goals late in the second half and only put Arsenal in first in Group E on goals scored. Leno made one save in a rather easy day at the office for the first 77 minutes.

Arsenal’s winning streak is growing and on October 4th, they will go for six points in Azerbaijan against Qarabag. The Aziri side lost to Sporting CP 2-0 on opening night. Chelsea and Arsenal should be winning their groups with ease and afterward should run into beatable opponents in the knockout rounds.

Some of the other favorites for the competition were not exactly convincing in their first games. AC Milan only won 1-0 against F91 Dudelange, Villarreal drew Steven Gerrard’s Rangers side at home and reigning runners-up Marseille lost 2-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt at the Velodrome. The only non-EPL favorite that strutted their stuff was Sevilla who thrashed Standard Liege 5-1.

Related Story. Liverpool defeats PSG in a thriller. light

Emery and Sarri both picked a majority of their starters for these easy encounters in the Europa League. I think this trend will continue all season as Chelsea and Arsenal will show off their class in this competition and go after a trophy. We could even get an all-London final when we get to May. How amazing would that be.

Home/Europa League