Marseille v Arsenal

MagicMarker

Less than an hour to go and no match thread? What's that all about?

Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs will miss Wednesday's Champions League clash with Marseille with a stomach injury.

Gibbs was taken off during Sunday's win over Sunderland and his absence adds to the Gunners' defensive problems.

Thomas Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna are out, while Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou have just returned from injury.

However, midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who missed the victory with a hamstring problem trained on Tuesday and will travel with the squad to France.

They travel to Marseille looking to put aside struggles at home, where they are 10th in the Premier League, and take over at the top of Champions League Group F.

Leaders Marseille are on six points with Arsenal two behind, while Borussia Dortmund have one point.

Arsene Wenger's team have so far drawn 1-1 at Borussia Dortmund and defeated Olympiakos 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

Marseille have won their opening games without conceding a goal, but they are also struggling in their domestic league.

Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky said: "It must be our aim to win the group, especially after what happened to us last year when we were not top of the group. In the last three games we messed up.

"Marseille are a direct contender for us," Rosicky said. "It's a big game and we want to be successful there."

Marseille striker Loic Remy is not reading much into Arsenal's disappointing form in the Premier League.

He said: "We must remain humble in relation to their situation. The Champions League is an entirely different competition and Arsene Wenger's men will have the desire to make amends."

MagicMarker

Marseille: Mandanda, Azpilicueta, Diawara, N'Koulou, Morel, Diarra, Gonzalez, Cheyrou, Valbuena, Remy, Andre Ayew.

Subs: Bracigliano, Gignac, Kabore, Traore, Amalfitano, Sabo, Roland.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Andre Santos, Song, Arteta, Walcott, Rosicky, Arshavin, van Persie.

Subs: Fabianski, Ramsey, Djourou, Gervinho, Chamakh, Benayoun, Coquelin.

Drexel

Marseille have one win in their last ten games but I think this will be a tough test for Arsenal. I didnt see the Sunderland game the weekend but I gather Arshavin played very well when he came on. If he carries that form into this match he could make the difference. I wanna see a performance from Walcott too.

Reckon Arsenal will coincide but will win!


Come on the Gunners

Marty McFly

No Chamberlain on the bench?

I reckon we should win tonight, it wont be easy but im going to go for 3-1.

Mars Bar

What has Chamberlain done to not get a game?

KeithAFC

Lack of experience probably. I would have put him in the squad tbf.

L'prof

MagicMarker wrote: »

Less than an hour to go and no match thread? What's that all about?

I would have started one if I was about, even though my interest has waned massively! I think we'll struggle tonight to be honest. I don't care how poor people think Marseille are, we're more than capable of making them look like a very good side.

Drexel

mars bar wrote: »

What has Chamberlain done to not get a game?

Strange one alright. Def thinks he deserves a shot.

Mars Bar

KeithAFC wrote: »

Lack of experience probably. I would have put him in the squad tbf.

Maybe but he hasn't even been playing in the Premiership. I would have had him in the squad anyway. He looks like a quality player.

wandatowell

Id have him in the squad without a doubt but wouldn't be starting a player with his experience in Europe.

gnfnrhead

Chamberlain was shooting too much last time he played. We cant be having that! :pac:

Marty McFly

I certainly would have had him in the squad at a minimum ive seen a few time this year for Arsenal and England u21,s and hes impressed me every time.

I know hes young but think he should be on the bench at least.

tayto lover

I wouldn't play Chamberlain in an away game in the C.L. as he needs more experience. While he is going to be a great player he is still a bit raw. I'd put him on in a home game at half-time if we were comfortably in front.

Blatter

tayto lover wrote: »

I wouldn't play Chamberlain in an away game in the C.L. as he needs more experience. While he is going to be a great player he is still a bit raw. I'd put him on in a home game at half-time if we were comfortably in front.

Yeah, way too inexperienced for this game imo, no matter how good a prospect he is.

Raskolnikov

With that Arsenal defence and Song as "defensive" midfielder then it could be chaos at the back for Arsenal again.

MagicMarker

What's with the shocking attendance?

gnfnrhead

MagicMarker wrote: »

What's with the shocking attendance?

Just about to ask the same, looks like a hell of a lot of empty seats.

Marty McFly

They said just before the game Marseille are having stadium renovations done.

gnfnrhead

Lucky Song, another ref might have sent him off.

amacachi

Song has to be the most booked player for us this calender year. Unreal.

Drexel

Desperate by Song there. Yellow already. Thats the 2nd time. He nearly lost it two minutes ago too

amacachi

gnfnrhead wrote: »

Lucky Song, another ref might have sent him off.

Koscielny I think it was had it covered.

tayto lover

Stupid by Song. Now he has to watch himself all game. I'd nearly take him off now and bring on Coq or Frim. Too risky to leave him on now.

amacachi

Arsenal need to chill the fcuk out at the back. Marseille are pushing up and there's loads of space between midfield and their defence.

Drexel

Getting worried already. A few heart in mouth moments already and we are only 8 minutes in

Marty McFly

Poor start so far, weve barely been able to string a few passes together.

gnfnrhead

amacachi wrote: »

Koscielny I think it was had it covered.

There was someone coming across but it was still iffy. If the ref was in the mood he could have justified it as it was an awful tackle and from behind to prevent a possible goal scoring opportunity. Just glad he got away with it, hopefully he wont try that ever again

Kos learned his lesson from the Carling Cup Final anyway. Jumping out of the way of the ball when Woj let a roar at him lol.

amacachi

He knew he was offside, why the fcuk did he still play at it!?

tayto lover

Song, Walcott and Kos have all given the ball away when under no pressure. Not good enough at all.

Raskolnikov

Poor game so far.

Marty McFly

FFS Santos, this is not good enough at all, Marseille are looking the hungrier side chasing down the ball everytime.

L'prof

tayto lover wrote: »

I wouldn't play Chamberlain in an away game in the C.L. as he needs more experience. While he is going to be a great player he is still a bit raw. I'd put him on in a home game at half-time if we were comfortably in front.

Won't see much of him this season so!

gnfnrhead

That reaction was brilliant, like a spoilt child!

amacachi

Joke.

Refs a bit card friendly..

Raskolnikov

Pathetic from Rosicky, loses the ball, falls over and doesn't even bother to try and get it back.

tayto lover

Can't see us finishing up with 11 men tonight. We need to be far more careful and try and hold onto the ball a bit more. They are dictating the whole game.

gnfnrhead

Why is Walcott the one challenging the keeper on the corner? Should be someone like Mertesacker who can actually cause a problem for the keeper.

Marty McFly

Think that mustve been Arshavins first touch of the game so far.

everdead.ie

When was the last time Arsenal scored from a corner?

tayto lover

Desperate passing from Arsenal, Rosicky, Walcott and Santos.

Blatant peno

gnfnrhead

Missed that handball the first time. Cant get a much clearer penalty that that, shame the ref didnt see it either.

MagicMarker

Wtf is the point of those extra officials if they can't see that!?

Marty McFly

MagicMarker wrote: »

Wtf is the point of those extra officials if they can't see that!?

I dont think ive seen any match yet the extra officials actually made any kind of a decision starting to think there only there for show.

tayto lover

Oh how we need Cesc back to put his foot on the ball and find that penetrating pass. We can't pass the ball anymore.

Mr.Crinklewood

Marseille have got a little bit slapdash in possession, Arsenal looking a little but better at this stage in the game.

gnfnrhead

Are all our defenders made of glass this year?

efb

Devoid of any imagination. ITV seem to be in love with Jenkinson...

everdead.ie

Arsenal must be doing something wrong in training with all these injuries

Marty McFly

efb wrote: »

Devoid of any imagination. ITV seem to be in love with Jenkinson...

Thats because they probably still think hes going to declare for England.