Arsenal vs Marseille - Team News and Predicted Lineup

ARSENAL

v

MARSEILLE

Emirates Stadium, London

26^th November, 2013; 19:45 BST

***

Arsenal FC host Marseille in their next Champions League encounter at the Emirates. The English club can secure their place in the next round with a win in this game against a side who have lost all four of their matches in Europe so far.

Both these sides faced each other in the first match of the group stages and the Gunners won the match 2-1 as Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey scored for the away side. The last time Marseille visited the Emirates, the match ended in a 0-0 draw. But the French side do have a poor record on English soil. They have won only one of their 11 Champions League fixtures in England till now and from the outset it seems difficult for them to improve on that record tomorrow.

Team news and tactics

Arsenal

Arsenal have made a flying start to their season and are currently leading the Premier League table with a four points advantage over Liverpool and Chelsea. They bounced back impressively from their defeat at Old Trafford with a 2-0 victory over Southampton in their last game. Olivier Giroud maintained his fine goal scoring form with another brace and the Gunners head into this fixture high on confidence at the moment.

Arsenal are also leading the points table in Group F of the Champions League on goal difference. The have placed themselves in strong position to qualify from their group with a crucial win over Borussia Dortmund in the last game. Aaron Ramsey, who has been in impressive form this season, scored the winner against the German side. The Gunners can now confirm their place in the next round with a win over Marseille, before they travel to face Napoli in their last group stage fixture.

Arsene Wenger welcomed back Theo Walcott in the match against Southampton as the England winger came on as a substitute in the second half. But the Arsenal manager still has a long injury list to contain with ahead of this fixture. Yaya Sanogo, Abou Diaby, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski are out of contention for this game. The German international is expected to return to first team action in two weeks. There are some concerns about the fitness of Mikel Arteta for this game, who apparently picked up a knock against Southampton. But Mathieu Flamini, who missed out the last game due to suspension, is likely to replace him in the midfield.

Theo Walcott is likely to start from the bench once again, as he still lacks match fitness. Flamini and Ramsey are expected to form the pivot ahead of the defence, while Jack Wilshere is likely to be rested for this match. Tomas Rosicky will start on the right-hand side of the attack with Giroud leading the line once again. The rest of team picks itself at the moment.

Expected starting line-up: Szczesny (GK); Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Ramsey, Flamini; Rosicky, Ozil, Cazorla; Giroud