Olympique de Marseille Vs Arsenal FC – UEFA Champions League preview
Stade Velodrome, France will see French Ligue 1 side http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-de-Marseille-c40127 host English Premier League side Arsenal FC in their third game of this season’s UEFA Champions League group stages on October 19, 2011.
Domestic problems put aside
Marseille coach, Didier Deschamps has welcomed the return of European football in a bid to let go of the club’s domestic worries. Les Phoceens are in 15th place in the Ligue 1 standings with just nine points from 10 games.
However, the former Juventus coach is looking to consolidate Marseille’s lead at the top of group F. Though the Rhone giants have made a terrible start to the domestic campaign, Les Phoceens have been great to watch in the Champions League so far.
In their last Champions League encounter, the French giants beat reigning German champions Borussia Dortmund 3-0 to go on top of the group standings with six points from two games. Deschamps is now looking to extend his side’s unbeaten run in Europe as he
looks to secure qualification to the knockout phases of the competition.
A win over Arsenal would definitely put them in pole position to qualify for the round of 16. While talking to the media, Deschamps admitted that playing in Europe would be a good thing for the club.
“In the league, we have to get positive results, in the Champions League it’s different – the players are a bit more relaxed and have less pressure on them. Since arriving here I’ve followed a footballing logic and I make decisions according to this logic.”
Arsene looking forward
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that he is eagerly anticipating the game against Marseille in Europe as he feels that his side plays with more freedom on European nights. The Gunners have made a terrible start to the English Premier League and
have already lost four times in the league.
However, the London-based club has fared better in Europe. In the Champions League qualifiers, Wenger’s men beat Italian Serie A side Udinese and in their last Champions League game, beat Olympiacos and drew with Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park.
Though it has been suggested that Wenger will focus more on Europe this season, the French manager has denied this. In a pre-game press conference, Wenger said that consistent performances in the league are important to make it to Europe.
“We will not give up on the league because it represents our future and the qualification for the Champions League. A season without the Champions League would be a catastrophe for us,” said the under pressure manager.
Team news
Marseille
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rod-Fanni-c31402 are already suspended for the game while Benoit Cheyrou is set to miss the clash due to a hamstring injury. Striker Andre-Pierre Gignac played in the dull 0-0 draw to Toulouse this weekend despite carrying a groin injury. However,
the striker is likely to feature against the English side.
Arsenal
Left-back http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Abou-Diaby-c3453 are also long-term casualties.
However, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aaron-Ramsey-c3065 is available for selection.
Prediction
The Gunners have not won a single game in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AJ-Auxerre-c38247 1-0. Furthermore, Marseille have shown that they can be a tough opponent at home on European nights. The game against Borussia Dortmund was a proof of
Marseille’s ability to expose defensive frailties and Arsenal defenders would certainly be tested to the limits.
Predicted final score: Marseille 2-1 Arsenal
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