Italy

Officials in Italy are looking into the possibility that several Serie A games over the past few years were rigged, while full-back Domenico Criscito was forced out of the squad last week when it emerged he was embroiled in the investigation.

The story has hit the headlines in Italy – and indeed across Europe – in the build-up to the tournament and many have questioned whether the Azzurri will lose their focus as they prepare to tackle an already tough Group C featuring Spain, Croatia and Republic of Ireland over the next few weeks.

The 2006 World Cup winners may have found it tough going getting out of that group anyway but their task may now be much harder because of the ongoing investigation.

Criscito has publicly hit out at the decision to axe him and he believes he has been made a scapegoat by the Italian FA. He is especially unhappy about Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci’s inclusion despite the fact he is also under investigation but has not received an official notification from the authorities.

All of this has led to some to speculate Italy are in crisis and may well be facing another early plane trip home – like they did in a thoroughly-underwhelming 2010 World Cup campaign.

However, former national boss Marcello Lippi and ex-Italy forward Sandro Mazzola both believe the ongoing match-fixing enquiry could have a similar effect to six years ago when another investigation was the backdrop to the Azzurri’s unlikely triumph in Germany.

Lippi, who was in charge in 2006, said: “It feels as though they are going through the same experience as that of 2006. I remember that week in Coverciano [ahead of the tournament in Germany] was not easy for us and there was the fear of what people would have said of us abroad.

“But no-one said anything in Germany. I believe that as soon as the national team travels to Poland, their only thoughts will be on football, on training and on the European Championship.”

Certainly the argument that the developing scandal will effect the squad was given credence by their limp 3-0 friendly defeat against Russia over the weekend but Mazzola, who has tipped Italy to make the semis, is confident it can have a galvanising effect on the team and could be used as a positive (Italy 3/1 to win Group C).

“I think the national team was conditioned by what happened during the week in their game against Russia,” he said. “But in any case the performance was not good and they only had two chances of goal throughout the game.

“Regardless of that game, I believe the national team can be among the top four at the European Championship.”

Any squad with the talent of Andrea Pirlo, Mario Balotelli (20/1 – Top Goalscorer) and Antonio Cassano in it must be respected but the fear is it will also be a squad crippled by anxiety over the continuing developments back home.

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However, the majority of fans will point to Arsenal’s unbeaten season as the crown glory of Wenger’s time in charge. The Frenchman is now on course to complete another history-making feat as he looks to steer the Gunners towards four trophies. We examine whether Arsenal can win all or any of the trophies they are going for over the next four months.

Carling Cup

Let’s start with the most pressing matter, which will be on most Arsenal fans’ minds and that is this Sunday’s Carling Cup final against Birmingham.

The Gunners are 1/4 to win the first piece of domestic silverware on offer this season and will fancy their chances of climbing the steps to the balcony of the new Wembley for the first time since it was re-built. In Birmingham they are facing a side who are struggling in the league, mainly due to a lack of goals, and who have already been beaten comfortably by Arsenal home and away this season in the league.

Wenger’s men are unbeaten in the last eight matches between the two teams but, as the old cliché goes, anything can happen in a cup game. The pressure is on Arsenal to win and end a six-year wait for silverware, while Blues are expected to lose so can maybe play with more freedom. Arsenal’s cause hasn’t been helped by injuries to Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas but even without the duo they should have enough star power to end their barren spell.

Premier League

Wednesday’s win over Stoke has put Arsenal just one point behind league leaders Manchester United, although they have played a game more.

However, some will say it is better to have the points on the board rather than have to games in hand and if so then the Gunners are in decent shape for a title-winning surge.

They have the better of the two run-ins when compared with Manchester United – away at Tottenham, home to United and Liverpool are the toughest of their remaining 11 games. Arsenal are 7/4 to win the Premier League and that looks a decent bet with United now being odds-on at 4/7.

Over recent years the Gunners have choked when it comes to the run-in and droped points when they shouldn’t, last season’s fall from grace coming in the form of a 3-2 defeat at Wigan after being 2-0 up. You feel that the there is another mistake in the current Arsenal team and for that reason it looks as though it will be another year at least before the Gunners can call themselves the kings of England again.

FA Cup

Based on what Arsenal have done in the FA Cup this year you’d have to say ‘no’ if asked whether you think the north London outfit can win this historic competition.

The Gunners are 18/5 for the FA Cup, but having taken a replay to beat Leeds and struggled past Huddersfield you get the sense it isn’t their biggest priority. Wenger’s selection for the game with Leyton Orient demonstrates that and a replay against their fellow Londoners is the last thing they need. While they should crush the League One outfit at the Emirates Stadium a trip to Old Trafford will await them.

United have had Arsenal’s number in recent meetings and the last time they played each other in the FA Cup Wenger’s men were embarrassed 4-0 by Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges.

While you could look at it as Arsenal owing United one, the season the Red Devils are having suggests that they will do just enough to get by and march on to the semi-finals at the Gunners’ expense.

Champions League

This is the one all Arsenal fans are aching to win, the one trophy that Wenger wants more than any other. The small problem is they need to go to the Nou Camp and maintain a slender one-goal advantage against the favourites Barcelona.

Arsenal are 14/1 to win the Champions League and that might not be such a crazy bet when you consider that if they do survive in the Nou Camp there aren’t too many sides left the Gunners will fear. If Arsenal can get rid of Barca that will open up the competition massively.

If you gave Wenger a choice between winning the Champions League and Premier League you’d think he would pick the first one. Most Arsenal fans will be dreading the second leg in Barcelona, but shouldn’t. They should see it as the best opportunity they are going to get at winning the Champions League because without the Spanish champions Arsenal will fear no one.

While the Gunners have a better chance of winning the Premier League or FA Cup this is the one they want and you shouldn’t look beyond them getting their wish.

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