Arsenal vs Marseille: Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups, Key Man & Predicted Score

Arsenal face Marseille at the Emirates Stadium tonight hoping a win will be enough to secure qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

The Gunners head into the game sitting top of Group F on goal difference from Napoli, while Borussia Dortmund sit a further three points adrift, so Arsene Wenger’s men can ensure safe passage to the last 16 as long as they better Dortmund’s result tonight.

If the Germans fail to win at home to Napoli, Arsenal will be in the knockout stages for the 11th consecutive year if they see-off bottom club Marseille at home. However, victory for Dortmund would see qualification go down to the last game with the possibility of a team missing out with 12 points.

Goals from Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott secured a 2-1 win at the Stade Veladrome in the reverse fixture and they have failed to pick up a single point since, so the north Londoners should be confident of getting the job done.

Team News

Arsenal welcome back midfielder Mathieu Flamini after he served a one-match ban during the 2-0 win over Southampton on Saturday. Flamini is expected to start against his former side meaning somebody is going to have to make way.

Jack Wilshere is favourite to be rested after completing the 90 minutes against the Saints and boss Arsene Wenger has already confirmed he’s going to be cautious with the midfielder due to his troublesome ankle.

Theo Walcott is pushing for a start after coming on a sub at the weekend but Wenger has also hinted he is going to ease the winger back into first team duties after two months on the sidelines.

Lukas Podolski is back in training but this game comes too soon for him, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Abou Diaby and Yaya Sanogo remain sidelined.

Marseille will be without Andre Ayew after he picked up a knee injury while away with Ghana squad and is facing several weeks out.

Midfielder Dimitri Payet is also missing but Laurent Abregel is back in contention. Rod Fanni may also get a recall after recovering from injury and Lucas Mendes is pushing for a start after returning to the squad for Friday’s 3-1 win over Ajaccio.

Likely Line-Ups

Key Man

Olivier Giroud: The powerful Frenchman was key in Arsenal’s win over Southampton and his physical presence and ability to hold up the ball to bring others into play will be vital tonight.

Betting & Predicted Score

The bookmakers have the Gunners as firm favourites for this one so it’s difficult to find any real value in simply backing the home side to win. For example, bwin have Arsenal at short odds of just 1.25. Therefore, we’d suggest looking at the exact score market to find some value. Arsene Wenger’s men are in fine form and look confident in both defence and attack, so should have no problems easing past the Ligue 1 side by at least a couple of goals tonight. Bwin offer that score at far more tempting 5.25. Arsenal 2-0 Marseille

What would be your starting line-up be for the game and what’s your predicted score? Share your views below.