Arsenal vs. Vitoria : Young Gunners backed to continue flying high on Thursday night

It’s top versus bottom in Group F later this evening as Arsenal host Portuguese outfit Vitoria in a bid to make it three wins from three in the Europa League.

Unai Emery’s side are among the highest scorers in the competition after two games. They also boast one of the best defensive records having scored seven and conceded zero from their meetings with Frankfurt and Standard Liege.

A youthful Arsenal XI eased to a 3-0 victory away to the German side, before thrashing the Belgian outfit 4-0 in north London.

Arsenal v Vitoria Europa League Odds

The two sides are heading into Thursday’s fixture in highly opposing form. Vitoria make the visit to Emirates Stadium with 2-0 and 1-0 losses against Liege and Frankfurt respectively.

They are still seeking their first goal in the group stages, and are perhaps still feeling the effects of their third round qualifying and play-off rounds that were required to make it this far.

It’s only their third ever appearance in the Europa League group stage. They have yet to progress to the knockout stages.

They can be backed at 10/1 to cause one of the upsets of the round and perhaps the entire tournament should they take all three points against Arsenal.

Arsenal are currently 20/21 to continue the trend and win to nil. The home side are available at 13/2 to pick up another 3-0 victory, and 10/1 to make it 4-0.

Young forward Gabriel Martinelli scored twice on his European debut in the 4-0 thrashing of Standard Liege. The 18-year-old is 4/1 to score the opener once again.

Arsenal will be hoping to put recent woes behind them as they return to the Europa League

Joe Willock is another youngster with two Europa League goals to his name this season. He’s 8/1 to score the first goal of the game, and 11/5 to score anytime.

And even Bukayo Saka has been getting in on the act. The 18-year-old is available at 7/1 to give the Gunners the lead in the game.

Should Arsenal pick up an early lead once again, it could signal another worrying and long evening for the visitors. Emery’s men can be backed at 2/1 to score 2+ in the first 45 minutes.

It’s the first time the clubs will meet in UEFA competition. But the history books certainly don’t favour the Guimaraes club.

Their two visits to England – both in the first round of the UEFA Cup – involved 5-0 and 2-0 defeats to Aston Villa and Portsmouth respectively.

They will undoubtedly give their all against last season’s finalists. But the home side should brush past their opponents with their experience and technical superiority. A win would give Emery’s side a commanding lead after just three group games.