ARSENAL face CSKA Moscow at the Emirates tonight… but just who are the Russian side?
The Gunners will be looking to put on a show for their fans in North London before next week’s Europa League quarter-final second leg at the VEB Arena.
Here is the lowdown on the club…
Manager
Viktor Goncharenko: Modest career as a defender in his native Belarus, before injury cut short his career at age of 25.
Cut his managerial teeth with Bate Borisov where he became the youngest manager in the Champions League group stage at 31 in 2008.
Been in Russia since 2013 and in charge at CSKA, where he was previously an assistant, since December 2016.
Danger Man
Alan Dzagoev: Russia’s World Cup midfield lynchpin missed much of the early part of the season through injury but now back at the heart of the CSKA side.
Made his international debut in his breakthrough season in 2008 as a teenager and now 27.
Joint top scorer with three – a tally matched by Fernando Torres, Mario Balotelli, Cristiano Ronaldo and two others – at Euro 2012 and remains CSKA’s talisman.
Form guide
Just one defeat in eight games since the end of Russia’s long winter break and won last three games in all competitions.
Beat Red Star Belgrade and Lyon to reach the last eight.
Currently third in the Russian Premier League, five points behind Moscow rivals Lokomotiv and three off second-placed Spartak.
Stadium
Home ground is the 30,000-capacity VEB Arena, completed in 2016. The stand-out feature is a skyscraper in one corner, shaped to resemble the Uefa Cup.
Record v English clubs
Have played 19 games against English opponents winning just three, against Arsenal and Aston Villa in Moscow and at Manchester City in the 2014-15 Champions League.
Beaten home and away by Spurs in last season’s Champions League group phase and Manchester United this term.
Lost to Liverpool 3-1 after extra-time in the 2005 Super Cup Final in Monaco.
Three Facts
CSKA were formed as the team of the Red Army and the Ministry of Defence remains the main shareholder.
Nicknamed The Horses because their first home was built on the site of the former Moscow race course.
Graham Poll was the referee when CSKA beat Sporting Lisbon 3-1 on their own ground in Portugal to win the 2005 Uefa Cup.
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