Arsenal vs Marseille

Nov 26, 2013 at 7.45pm (UK)

Emirates Stadium

Arsenal host Marseille later today and the Gunners will go into the game as clear favourites having already beaten the French side this campaign in Stade Velodrome. However, it is a tricky game for Arsene Wenger and his men as Marseille who are yet to open their account in the group stages would be raring to do so and on the other hand, the Dortmund Vs Napoli game would also be a crucial one which has a major saying in the output of this group. Arsenal and Napoli have 9 points on the top of the table while Dortmund are third with 6 points onboard. If Napoli and Arsenal win today, both the sides will go through today despite the results from the last game week. But anything other than that will give us a thrilling final match day in two weeks time.

Marseille on the other hand, are going strong in Ligue 1 with 2 wins in their last two games and lie 4th on the table. Their chances of making it to the knockout stages were destroyed by Napoli last time around as they went down 3-2 to the Italian side.

Team News:

Arsenal:

There are no fresh injury concerns for Arsene Wenger following Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Southampton. Midfielder Flamini returns to the side after serving a one match ban for picking up as many as yellow cards. Mikel Arteta who picked up knock against the Saints should be ready to start the game, but it’s upto Wenger to decide whether the Spaniard starts or not. Elsewhere Theo Walcott who made a substitute appearance last week should start the game this time around.

Talking to the press ahead of the game, Wenger gave updates on team news during which he talked about the German Lukas Podolski.

“It’s not the first time he’s trained but he is still a few weeks away.”

“It’s great [to see him back] because he is a quality player. He can score goals, he can play in different positions, like centre forward and on the flanks. That is vital for us, to get everybody back.”

Meanwhile the likes of Yaya Sanogo, Abou Diaby, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are still nursing their long term injuries.

Marseille:

Elie Baup will bring his Marseille amidst of several injury woes. Star players Andre Ayew and Rod Fanni are out of the game with injuries as Baup will look to re-shuffle his line-up in a hope to pick up their first point in the group stages.

Possible starting lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Arteta, Ramsey, Wilshere, Ozil, Cazorla; Giroud

Marseille: Mandanda; Abdallah, N’Koulou, Diawara, Mendy; Thauvin, Romao, Cheyrou, Payet; Valbuena, Gignac

Prediction:

Arsenal 2-0 Marseille

Blast from the past:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GPeL4bMrGs