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

Arsenal kick off their Champions League campaign against Marseille at the Stade Velodrome on Wednesday night looking to make it a record 10 away wins in a row.

The impressive form on the road started way back in February when we beat eventual winners Bayern Munich 2-0 at the Allianz Arena, and we’ve subsequently gone on to record victories in our next eight away fixtures, conceding just 3 goals in the process.

The most recent was Saturday’s 3-1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light which also saw a certain German playmaker make an impressive debut following a £42.5m move from Real Madrid on deadline day.

Arsenal secured safe passage to the group stages of the Champions League for the 16th consecutive season with a comfortable win two-legged over Fenerbache in the play-off round. We’ve been rewarded with a tough group that includes Marseille, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli so it will be vital to get off to a positive start tonight.

We met Marseille in the group stages two years ago and won the away leg at the Stade Velodrome 1-0 thanks to a late winner from Aaron Ramsey and Arsene Wenger would no doubt bite your hand off for a repeat result this evening.

Team News

Arsenal have been boosted by the return of Per Mertesacker after he missed the Sunderland clash with sickness. The German defender is expected to come straight back in to start alongside Laurent Koscielny with Bacary Sagna moving to right-back – Carl Jenksinon will be the one to make way.

There is also positive news on the injury front with Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil passed fit to play. Giroud was a doubt after picking up a knee injury last time out but he trained on Tuesday and is in line to start.

Ozil had been struggling with tight muscles following his debut display on Saturday but he’s expected to start meaning Jack Wilshere may once again be asked to play on the left with Lukas Podolski, Tomas Rosicky, Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all missing through injury.

Thomas Vermaelen is back in the squad and in contention, but is likely to have to make do with a place among the substitutes. He will be joined by youngsters Isaac Hayden and Chuba Akpom who have travelled to France.

The hosts will recall Andre Ayew for the game after he missed the weekend’s draw with Toulouse through suspension. Arsenal target Florian Thauvin will drop  to the bench.

Likely Line-Up

Key Man

Mesut Ozil: He left Arsenal fans drooling after his excellent debut on Saturday. The German international slotted seamlessly into the Gunners set-up and it took him little over 10 minutes to register his first assist. There is more to come from Ozil and we’ll see again tonight why Wenger was prepared to pay £42.5m for him.

Predicted Score

Marseille 1-2 Arsenal: Our away form has been exemplary of late and we should have too much for the Ligue 1 outfit.

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