Arsenal CL Draw Full of Interest

A draw of intrigue and no little difficulty because so many of the well worn phrases apply to group B. Not least it’s always tough against the Germans. At least the league format rules out penalties! And of course the Gunners have a couple of their own in Podolski and Mertesacker.

The atmosphere WILL more than likely be hostile in Greece and Gunners watchers will know that their record there is troubling. However, so much will depend on how the group stands when the fixture takes place in early December.

As for Montpellier here at least Arsenal have the recent ex-player so the ‘immutable law of the ex’ can be expected to work in their favour.

Clichés aside Montpellier have lost the 21 goals and 9 assists of Olivier Giroud, last season’s Ligue 1 top scorer. Arsenal haven’t seen the best of him yet but the odds must be short on him tucking away a couple against his old team.

Schalke have Klaas-Jan Huntelaar perhaps not in the very top echelon of European strikers he sits comfortably just below that. He opened his account on the Bundesliga’s opening day with a drive nicely tucked away from the edge of the box. Notwithstanding his good start, Arsene Wenger will feel he has the defenders to deal with him.

There it is then the usual ECL mixed bag of names known and unknown. Travel plans that may actually include packing a pair of shorts. Stadiums to be experienced by fans and players alike and best of all Arsenal fans can have real optimism that they can progress. BRING IT ON!!

By Lloyd the Gooner

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