Olympique Marseille vs Arsenal: UEFA Champions League Group F Preview

Published October 18, 2011 | By Rolly

Olympique Marseille host Arsenal at the Stade Velodrome as the two leading sides in the UEFA Champions League Group F lock horns.

The hosts Marseille current sit at the summit of the group having grabbed six points from two matches with second placed Arsenal two behind on four points.

Despite both sides monopolizing what did promise to be one of the tightest groups this season, little can be taken for granted given the resurgence of third placed Borussia Dortmund and the importance of sealing top spot in the group.

Incidentally, both sides have had poor seasons domestically with L’OM languishing in 15th place in Ligue 1 – one point off the relegation zone, whereas Arsenal lie in tenth place after their worst ever start to a Premier League season.

Still, poor defending, a lack of confidence and angry fans have not perturbed either club on the continent and when the classical Champions League theme tune rolls around both sides appear to throw off their domestic masks for something more resembling a European cape with a big ‘S’ on the front.

Marseille memorably won the inaugural UEFA Champions League Cup in 1993 when current manager Didier Deschamps captained them to a 1-0 win over AC Milan although since then they have never met Arsenal in a European competition.

The fact that L’OM are (along with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich) the only side with a 100% record in Europe’s elite cup competition this season proves that Wenger’s men will need to be at their best if they are to avoid a French pasting.

Having talked up striker and captain Robin Van Persie after his stellar performance against Sunderland at the weekend, Arsene Wenger will be hoping that the Dutchman can be the first player to penetrate a sturdy L’OM backline which has yet to concede a goal in Europe this season.

The pair clash again on Matchday 4 although Wednesday night’s tussle at the Stade Velodrome could go a long way to deciding who tops the group and who doesn’t – with the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid awaiting the second placed side in the last 16. That’s an incentive enough to win if ever there was one!

Likely Line-Ups:

Marseille: Mandanda, Azpilicueta, N’Koulou, Diawara, Morel, Lucho, Diarra, Cheyrou, Valbuena, Remy, A. Ayew

Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Santos, Arteta, Song, Rosicky, Walcott, Van Persie, Gervinho

Prediction: Marseille 2-1 Arsenal.

Both sides are suffering domestically but seem to rejuvenate themselves on the continent. It promises to be an intriguing affair but the home factor and a dodgy Arsenal defence will see the French giants triumph making the return clash at the Emirates extremely important.