Chris Sutton claims Arsenal will be knocked out in Europa League round of 32

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Chris Sutton has told The Daily Mail that he thinks Arsenal will be knocked out of the Europa League at the Round of 32 stage after being drawn against big-spenders Benfica on Monday.

The Gunners qualified with relative ease after winning all six matches against Molde, Rapid Vienna and Dundalk – home and away. However, the quality of their opponents has immediately taken a huge increase.

Benfica – who boast the likes of Pizzi, Jan Vertonghen, Nicolas Otamendi and Darwin Nunez – qualified second to Steven Gerrard’s Rangers after drawing both games with the Scottish outfit. They picked up 12 points.

Though Arsenal will be favourites, Benfica are capable of beating anyone and having brought in numerous players in the summer – the Portuguese side will be better gelled by February. Sutton thinks Arsenal will struggle.

“Benfica have thrown some money at making their team competitive this season, making this a very tricky test for Arsenal,” Sutton said. “I highly doubt Mikel Arteta’s side will be qualifying for the Champions League via the Premier League, so this may be the way they make it there.

“Arsenal won six out of six in the group stages, but this will be tough. PREDICTION – Benfica.”

TBR’s view – Arsenal should progress, even if Arteta stays

The Gunners have largely played a second string in Europe this season, with the likes of Joe Willock, Eddie Nketiah, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Reiss Nelson all impressing in the group stage matches.

However, Benfica is a different test. Arsenal still have the fire power to beat Benfica, but the Portuguese side are a match for anyone on their day – with Jesus’ side only going to get better with time after a summer influx of players.

Arsenal, by then, may too have turned a corner. Arteta is likely to remain in charge and will be in charge by then, and hopefully for his sake, he has got the Gunners firing again – or Sutton’s prediction might just come true.