Marseille v Arsenal Preview

Marseille v Arsenal, Champions League Group F, Wednesday 18th September, 7.45pm, Stade Vélodrome, Sky Sports 4


Group F

Dortmund
Marseille
Arsenal
Napoli


Both sides begin season well

Both Arsenal and Marseille head into Wednesday night's meeting at the Stade Vélodrome after confident starts to the new campaign. Arsène Wenger's side began the season with a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Aston Villa, but, since that loss, Arsenal have won 5 on the trot - including a 5-0 aggregate victory against Fenerbahçe in the Champions League play-off - and sit second in the Premier League. Despite failing to win in their last two league games, Élie Baup's Marseille sit 4th in Ligue 1 and are looking impressive, particularly going forward.


Repeat of 2011

Swap Napoli for Olympiacos, and you'd have a replica of the Champions League group from 2011. Two years ago, Arsenal and Marseille both made it through to the knock-out stages, as Borrusia Dortmund enjoyed a miserable first season in the competition under Jürgen Klopp. Since then, however, the Germans have gained valuable experience, reaching last season's final, and are rightly regarded as one of Europe's finest sides these days and have made their best ever start to the Bundesliga, winning their first five fixtures. Napoli, now under the guidance of Rafa Benítez, have also begun the 2013/14 season in outstanding fashion, winning all three Serie A games and sitting top in Italy.

Wenger's men took four points off of then-Didier Deschamps' Marseille in 2011, winning 1-0 in France courtesy of Aaron Ramsey's injury-time strike. A goalless draw at the Emirates followed weeks later.


Match Facts

* Arsenal are unbeaten in their 9 visits to France: 6 victories and 3 draws. They have won the last 5 fixtures, including a 2-1 success at Montpellier last season.

* Marseille have only won 1 of their last 9 Champions League games against English opposition (v Chelsea, December 2010).

* Arsenal have only kept 2 clean sheets in their last 24 Champions League games away from home (v Marseille & Bayern).

* Arsenal have made it past the group stages in the last 10 seasons but have been knocked out at the last 16 stage in the last 3 campaigns.

* Wenger has taken charge of 152 games in the Champions League, more than any other current manager. Only Alex Ferguson has more (190).


The view from France

Marseille fan @Mohammedali_93 looks ahead to the tie:

"The club have been reinvigorated after their last bid for European glory in 2011-12 ended with a surprisingly low 10th placed finish. A period of austerity followed, and overpaid stars were shipped out. Now, the sun begins to shine again at the club following a brilliant second place finish last year behind PSG, with Elie Baup and L'OM enjoying a shrewd transfer window, with six players joining for a total outlay of more than €35 million. With Marseille enjoying a good (if not as stunning compared to 2012-13) start to the season, there is cause for optimism that this squad can compete with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco. But, there are still some gaping issues that need to be addressed; issues which Arsenal can expose to devastating effect on Wednesday.

Last time Arsenal visited the Vel, OM were known for surprising efficiency at the back, and a solid defence which teams would do well to penetrate. Indeed, just four goals were conceded in that group phase. Now, though, the defence appears to be the main issue. Nicolas N'Koulou has endured a poor start to the season, liable for many defensive slip-ups, and Souleymane Diawara is fast deteoriating as a player. OM have been punished for sloppy defending, and an unusual high line. It takes that one clever through ball to lead to a goal - and Monaco and Toulouse found that to their advantage in the last two games. The attack, nevertheless, has evolved into OM's best weapon. Creativity is abundant here, with Ayew, Payet and Valbuena all enjoying good starts. Factor in the exciting young talent of Thauvin and a revitalised Gignac - Marseille can pose problems at the other end, with outstanding quality out wide. Attacking from set-pieces has also proven a plus, with Lucas Mendes scoring two in the last two from this situation.

If the defence holds on Wednesday, I'd be pretty confident of our chances."


Team News



Mertesacker, Özil and Giroud have all been passed fit, whilst Hayden and Akpom have been included in the squad with Frimpong and Gnarby staying back home. Sanogo (back), Rosický (hamstring), Cazorla (ankle), Podolski (hamstring), Arteta (thigh), Chamberlain (knee) and Diaby (knee) are all unavailable.



André Ayew returns from a domestic suspension but Diawara (thigh) has been left out of the squad despite returning to training on Tuesday.



Pre-match Views

Wenger:

"It is a tough group. We will need ten points to qualify and all four teams can qualify. Marseille have great home support, good physical strength and they are strong up front. They are used to playing big games. Marseille are building a good team with young players. It is a smart policy and by playing big matches these players will develop into great talents. I think they can be in the top two teams in the group; it is difficult to predict who will go through, though."

Baup:

"We know we're not favourites but this is football and we will try to be the team that defies the odds. We are approaching this game with a lot of desire and hunger. Individually Arsenal have a better team but our ambition is to try and perform well. Arsenal are as good and experienced as previously, one of the top eight teams in Europe. But we will try and cause them problems playing our own game."

Not going to be able to watch, but we fought hard to be here. Let's not feck it up in our comparatively 'easy' games against Marseille. We can't afford to fall behind early.

this group is going to be bloody hard lool

Great preview Sam.

Wont be a easy game, I can see us wining 1-0 or 2-1. I just hope we finish our chances. Theo please dont mess up.

===============Scecsney

Sagna---------- Kos------ Mert------Gibbs

-------------Ramsey---------Flamini--

Walcott --------------Wilshere--------------Özil

-----------------------Giroud

Great work Sami

Genuinely hope this will be much different contest to that of couple of years back

the same as at Sunderland should do the job
we are capable of beating them away if we perform to our level

But we will try and cause them problems playing our own game." wrote:

i hope that is not boring reactive approach trying to stop us play
come at us and we will see what happens;) 

COYG,lets make it 10 Consecutive away wins  

Nice work Sam, very good read.


This our toughest CL group we've had for some time and we really do have to play at the top of the game if we are going to get out of it. Marseille are arguably the weakest team so its a must 3 points whenever we play them.


I think we'll line up the same way we did against Sunderland and if we play as well as we did against Sunderland then we should win. However we need to take our chances this time and can't let them get back in the game with silly defensive mistakes. The fans Marseille have are insane so if we do get ahead then we can't let them back in like we did against Sunderland otherwise their fans will be right back behind them.


I don't like predicting the score as I always feel I'll jynx it but I'm confident we will get the 3 points.

Thanks for comments. Important we beat Marseille home and away if possible.

Good job, Sam as usual
Bench: Flappy/Viviano, Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Monreal; Hayden, Ryo, Akpom;

Same first team as against Sundeand except BFG comes in for Jenkinson.

I remember very well the last time we were in Marseille. Freaking tough game but we won with a late Ramsey goal. Jenkinson had a great game against one of the Ayew brothers. Anyway back then Marseille hardly created anything and were focused on defending only,  but I don't believe it's the same anymore, now they some some quality in attack. Imbula knows how to keep the ball under pressure, Thauvin and Payet are tricky players, Valbuena very creative.

And that's when we come into play with our counter attacking game. Wilshere, Ramsey and Özil will be creating chances for Giroud and Walcott on the counter and if we're as clinical as we've been this season so far we'll win the game.

By the way,  funny how things change. Now Ramsey is undroppable and starting centrally while  Wilshere is getting bashed by our own fans and starting wide left although he's doing better than Ramsey did there. It's not like Arsenal fans have learned anything from Ramsey. Can't wait to see them together beasting in the centre midfield.

Arsenal fans love a moan Roots! Wilshere is kind of at where Ramsey was this time last season, back from a lengthy injury and struggling for form but he'll get there in time, patience is all that's needed!

Top post Sam, I feel we can definitely do this one our away form has been pretty unstoppable recently but, of course, the Champions League is always a different kettle of fish - I'm quietly confident though so let's see!

Unless Romao is injured or suspended, he starts instead of Cheyrou.... Not sure if Morel starts over Mendy either.

Sam, the idea of including the view from the other side is great! Surely adds more to your already insightful previews

Going to be a good match in a tough group. All top teams. OM could give us 6 points of the 10 AW thinks we need, but only if we bring in our top top game. 9 points out of 9 at the Emirates would be tremendous, but I am not confident to that end.

OM will provide a sound test to our defending prowess. Except the blip that was Villa, we have been solid at the back since the Bayern/Spuds games last season. Flamini has ably helped the cause, in Arteta's absence. That OM attack should give our lads a good warm-up/welcome to the CL group, before the BVB and Napoli come knocking.

COYG!

great preview.. but i have a feeling that Vermelen may start ahead of Kos for this match..

Missed these previews

Not been able to watch a lot of Arsenal so today will be my first proper game of the season. Looking forward to it

Injuries

RG ffs

Ozil

Injuries isnt a worry. Ramsey looks like a completely new player. Flamini has done well so far and Giroud got an injury scare but he is back

great preview btw

sportsczy wrote:Unless Romao is injured or suspended, he starts instead of Cheyrou....  Not sure if Morel starts over Mendy either.

I know, was just told by a Marseille fan that Cheyrou might get the nod with his experience in Europe.

srigooner wrote:Sam, the idea of including the view from the other side is great! Surely adds more to your already insightful previews

Thanks Sri! Yeah, will try to include opposition view of things from now on in my previews.

What's the most "in" streaming website since firstrow got blocked?

RG welcome back man, you were missed a lot. 

RealGunner wrote:What's the most "in" streaming website since firstrow got blocked?

Best one I've used recently:

[bookmarked n removed -RG]

Sorry can't post proper links for another 5 days!

Also I believe that site will update nearer to kick off.

Thanks mate. Bookmarked it.

If you want more games this one is good also.

[noted -RG]

Alright cool, don't know what that means!

Which .