Playing at home might not help Arsenal much tonight
Three points tonight will secure Arsenal’s progression from the group stage of the Champions League, with their opponents Marseille similarly looking for a way into the next round. Following Aaron Ramsey’s late, late winner at the Velodrome, it will undoubtedly be yet another tight contest.
The Gunners may have only lost once at home so far this season, but the 2009/10 Ligue 1 Champions are a force on the road. Arsène Wenger himself admitted this, saying “Marseille have the team that is more at ease away than at home… They are a side who can defend well and are very physical. They have gained confidence and they will be out to hit us on the counter-attack…”
Marseille manager Didier Deschamps has been toying with the idea of switching to 4-4-2, but looks likely to opt for the 4-3-3 that has served his team well in recent matches. The attacking team hasn’t lost away from home since the 18th August, in a match against the division’s third most prolific winners, Lyon. Last week’s 3-2 win over Dijon – again, away from home – has put their disappointing season back on track in similar fashion to Arsenal’s win over Chelsea.
Whilst Torres and co. were in low spirits after a difficult derby defeat at QPR, Marseille seem to be nearing their best form of the season. Andre Ayew – a player closely linked to a move to Arsenal in recent weeks – has bagged 9 goals in just 14 matches this season, while his striking partner Loic Remy has netted 5 in 12. The most likely to line-up with these is Mathieu Valbuena, a player who has already given the team 2 goals and 7 assists in 11 games this campaign. Such a strong front three looks as menacing – if not more so – than Chelsea’s attacking trio of Sturridge, Torres and Mata, the last of which in particular was well controlled by the Arsenal backline and midfield.
Marseille have played the same amount of times (6) at home and away, but have managed to score 6 more goals when on the road. This may prove their attacking prowess on their travels but the fact that they have conceded double the amount of goals when not playing at the Velodrome does suggest that it is then that they are most frail at the back.
This could mean that Wenger could afford to give Robin Van Persie a break (as rumoured early in the week) – and Park his chance to shine – but there is no doubt that they can take no risks defensively against a side with the potential to upset Arsenal’s European ambitions.
Who should be rested, if anyone?
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We were also lacking form and confidence when we played them, we are more confident at home than away and we still beat them. As long as the defence is organised, and we don’t give silly balls away in the midfield, I’m confident we’ll beat them.
Good luck boys do us proud and get the job done!
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Marseille have no height and lots of pace up front which is why i would rest mertesacker. if we was able i would rest santos too but gibbs is not availble. i would seriously consider playing song alongside koscielny with jenkinson and vermaelen as full backs. then using coquelin in front of the back 4.
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rest RVP, ramsey, arteta & walcott. the rest should start especially the 1′s with ligue 1 experience i.e. coquelin, park, kos, gervinho, chamakh exc., i’m kinda worried about the defence but i’m 110% sure we’ll score i just don’t know how many we’ll let in thou -.-? with that ayew boy eager 2 get arsene’s attention n in exceptional form he is by far OM best player, i’m just afraid his gonna rip us apart but verminator & kozzer will embarass schoolboy remy & wanna-be nasri (valbuena)
ARSENAL TIL I DIE
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Would like to see Park Chu Young and Chamberlain plays tonight
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keep the faith. i believe this arsenal team will go all the away. with god willing, we will grab a winner or for worst a point. arsenal till i die.
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what we comment here don’t get to wenger or his boys so i hate fans who show up on this blog just to talk rubbish and negative things without looking at the positives. I read a fan said andre santos is over weighed thats why he lack pace then what will you say about micah richard(who is big and also has pace) santos has not adapted but his goal against chelsea early in the second half was the turning point for arsenal and that goal gave us self believe to attack and be sure we will score and whoever think kosienly his better than per mertesacker is stupid and if you think ramsey is more important to the team than arteta then you need to visit a psychiatric hospital and don’t know about soccer at all. We are here to say the truth and analyse it without sentiments. Enough said
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You need to look at the training pics to see who will be rested. Koscielny looks to be out for me. Also Song will not play.
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If playing at home doesnt give us an advantage, I don’t know what will. Up the gooners!!
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Rest RVP & Arteta, play Arshavin and Park in their places. Give the OX a decent run out. I’d like to see a little more of Ryo.
Gonna be a tough game, I really like Loic Remy and Ayew, I think either would be a great addition to Arsenal. Hopefully they don’t park the bus and spoil what has the potential to be a game like we saw against Chelsea.
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Some players should be rested but its a tough call… This game is important and I wouldn’t mind seeing the same team that played on saturday. We are all arsenal fans. We should have faith in whatever team le prof puts together. We all have our favorite players but in wenger we trust. Good luck boys and make us proud…once again!!!
GOONER til I DIE!!!!
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Please always think twice before you bring out headline
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