Arsenal v Marseille Preview

Funnily enough, this match could be more important than the one against Napoli. This is why we can't be complacent about the game, 3 points will pretty much secure us a place in the next round.

I hope to see:

Three points will ensure qualification if Napoli beat or draw with Dortmund, which, given their circumstances, is more possible than you'd initially think. Then we'd only have to draw in Napoli to win the group.

With how tight this group is, though, Dortmund will probably win and we'll go into matchday six with the dreaded "three teams on 12 points" scenario still possible. So it's essential we put ourselves in the strongest position possible before then.

I'd like to see Walcott start, since he needs some minutes and he'll help a lot in breaking down Marseille, who will probably not make it easy for us. That leaves a bit of a selection dilemna in midfield. Wenger may prefer the Arteta/Flamini duo in midfield but to get them, Walcott and one of Ramsey, our best player this season, and Wilshere, who had a very good game against Southampton into the side, you would have to take out either Cazorla or Ozil. Will be interesting to see what Wenger does.

Personally, I'd go with Urban's team. Arteta/Flamini isn't necessary, and between Ramsey and Wilshere it has to be Ramsey, even if I'd prefer for him not to play so many games.

Bar Podolski, every other injured player is either a bit part role or a permament crock, so we basically have a full strength XI at our disposal against Marseille, so NO excuses

Great preview Sam

I think we should give some players a rest, it will be a tough game but we should win the game in the end. Monreal and Vermaelen should get some minutes Imo.

great write up Sam

I also want to go with Raptor line up and if thing doesn't go well, Ozil and Jack come in 2nd half.

great preview Samuel..
i want to see some Rotation...!!

Monreal for Gibbs
Rosicky for Cazorla/Ozil
Walcott for Wilshere/Ramsey
Vermelen for Metskr/Kos
Flamini for Arteta
TGSEL for Giroud in the last 30 mins

not saying that all should happen.. i hope to see atleast 3/6 of the above changes for this game..

Excellent work Sam
there were times in last couple of seasons that even when we(players) talked a lot about situation others things happened

so i hope we are fully aware we cant drop points here and don't take Marseille lightly

don't think we would see that many changes one or two perhaps
but whether this one or Cardiff i would like to see us try some period of the game without Giroud to see how it works

hope we take 1st half an hour by storm get couple of goals and then control the game and save Energy
as they will be without some of their attacking threats
from highlights of their Latest games Gignac tried some tasty efforts from tight angles should be on Alert
Mendy seems inexperienced for this level

We can't afford to make drastic changes and risk dropping important points here. The press and fans will be all over Wenger if he plays a mixed team and drop points before even securing qualification.

I'd much rather play our best team here, win the game comfortably and rest some players against Napoli when we hopefully have secured qualifications already. We can even rest players against Cardiff or Hull City if someone is in "red zone".

Great work Sam.

We really need to beat them lol. Specially with their injuries and form. But it's never easy when it is supposed to be that easy.

Early goal should make it easier. I'd start Walcott too.50-60 minutes for him will be nice for Cardiff away at the weekend.

Wish we could rest Giroud.

If Bendtner was out of jail we could have start him.

Giroud is hungry for goals, hope he scores in the first half and maybe give him a rest in the second half.

Arsenal: Szczesny Sagna Mertesacker Koscielny Monreal Flamini Ramsey Rosicky Ozil Wilshere Giroud

Really good team

CMON ARSENAL!

Monreal and Rozza start

What's the bench then?

(Btw, ditch a live thread and just continue here today?)

Team came early. Sam might still make one. If he doesn't then someone else should. Have to keep the tradition

So apparently Marseille are playing kind of a B team ... ? What's the deal here? Trying to lull Arsenal into a false sense of security? I thought Elie Baup wanted some points?

i remember Khalifa scoring one incredible goal from center of the pitch last season when playing for that pink team evian lol
thats all i know about him :I'munoriginal::

RealGunner wrote:Arsenal:  Szczesny Sagna Mertesacker Koscielny Monreal Flamini Ramsey Rosicky Ozil Wilshere Giroud

Great line, finally have a bench.

Hope Vermaelen gets some minutes.

subs: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Arteta, Walcott, Cazorla, Bendtner, Gnabry