UEFA Champions League
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Played
November 21, 2012 7:45 PM GMT
Emirates Stadium — London
Referee:‬ F. Aydinus‎
Attendance:‬ 59760‎
 
49′ Jack Wilshere
 
63′ Lukas Podolski
 

Arsenal - Montpellier Preview: Gunners looking for first clean sheet in six

The English side head into the clash unbeaten in three games, while the French champions have gone four matches without a win after their disappointing start to the season

By Joe Doyle

More On :  Arsenal, Montpellier HSC, Arsenal vs Montpellier HSC
EPL; Per Mertesacker; Arsenal FC Vs Tottenham Hotspur FC
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  PROBABLE LINEUPS

ARSENAL

Szczesny
Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen
Arteta, Cazorla, Wilshere
Walcott, Giroud, Podolski
MONTPELLIER

Jourden
Congre, Yanga-Mbiwa, El Kaoutari, Bedimo
Cabella, Estrada, Belhanda, Saihi
Charbonnier, Camara

There could be an appearance at some point for Chuba Akpom, who has been given a Champions League squad number by Arsene Wenger, but it is likely he will be on the bench at best. One Gunner who definitely will not be playing is Emmanuel Frimpong who has joined Charlton on loan.

Elsewhere, Abou Diaby (thigh), Lukasz Fabianski (ankle), Gervinho (ankle), Kieran Gibbs (hip) and Tomas Rosicky (Achilles) are all still missing, but Wojciech Szczesny is likely to start again after making his comeback in the north London derby, as did Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who should start from the bench.

Montpellier are likely to make a couple of changes after their 1-1 draw against Valenciennes at the weekend, with Younes Belhanda missing the clash in Ligue 1 due to suspension. The midfielder is likely to come back into the side in the centre of the field.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Arsenal have won only 56 per cent of their home games in all competitions this season.
  • Mikel Arteta (pictured) became the first player in the Premier League to complete 1000 passes this season during the 5-2 win over Tottenham.
  • The Gunners are unbeaten in their last three games.
  • Arsene Wenger's side have gone five games without keeping a clean sheet, and conceded 14 goals in those games.
  • Last season's French champions Montpellier are currently 15th in Ligue 1, 11 points off the league leaders Lyon.
  • The French champions have gone four games without a win.
  • Rene Girard's team have lost eight of their 18 games in all competitions this season.
  • The Ligue 1 side have seen a player sent off in each of their last two matches.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Arsenal 3-0 Montpellier HSC
    25.76 %
  • Arsenal 3-1 Montpellier HSC
    19.12 %
  • Arsenal 2-0 Montpellier HSC
    13.53 %
Head to Head
UEFA Champions League ‎(UCL)‎ Nov 21, 2012 Arsenal 2 - Montpellier HSC 0
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UEFA Champions League ‎(UCL)‎ Sep 18, 2012 Montpellier HSC 1 - Arsenal 2
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Last Five Matches
Arsenal
May 19, 2013Newcastle 0 - Arsenal 1EPL
May 14, 2013Arsenal 4 - Wigan Athletic 1EPL
May 4, 2013QPR 0 - Arsenal 1EPL
Apr 28, 2013Arsenal 1 - Man Utd. 1EPL
Apr 20, 2013Fulham 0 - Arsenal 1EPL
Montpellier HSC
May 18, 2013Montpellier HSC 0 - LOSC Lille Métropole 0FRA1
May 11, 2013SC Bastia 3 - Montpellier HSC 1FRA1
May 4, 2013Montpellier HSC 2 - Stade Brestois 29 1FRA1
Apr 27, 2013AC Ajaccio 2 - Montpellier HSC 1FRA1
Apr 19, 2013Montpellier HSC 1 - Olympique Lyonnais 2FRA1
Odds
Returns: Arsenal £13.64 PaddyPower Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Returns: Draw £560.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Montpellier Herault SC £3510.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Team News
Available Squads
13Wojciech SzczesnyGoalkeeper
3Bacary SagnaDefender
4Per MertesackerDefender
5Thomas VermaelenDefender
6Laurent KoscielnyDefender
8Mikel ArtetaMidfielder
10Jack WilshereMidfielder
19Santi CazorlaMidfielder
9Lukas PodolskiStriker
12Olivier GiroudStriker
15Alex Oxlade-ChamberlainStriker
24Vito MannoneGoalkeeper
25Carl Jenkinson Defender
28Kieran GibbsDefender
16Aaron RamseyMidfielder
35Francis CoquelinMidfielder
23Andrey ArshavinMidfielder
27GervinhoStriker
16Geoffrey JourdrenGoalkeeper
3Mapou YangambiwaDefender
5H. BedimoDefender
3Daniel CongréDefender
21Abdelhamid El KaoutariDefender
25Mathieu DeplagneDefender
10Younes BelhandaMidfielder
13Marco Estrada QuinterosMidfielder
20Rémy CabellaMidfielder
26Anthony MounierStriker
9Gaetan CharbonnierStriker
1Laurent PionnierGoalkeeper
5Vitorino Hilton da SilvaDefender
27Cyril JeunechampMidfielder
6Joris MarveauxMidfielder
14Romain PitauMidfielder
28Jonas MartinMidfielder
11Emanuel HerreraStriker
Players to Watch
Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 14
Games Goals YC RC
5 1 0 0
An interesting sub-plot to Arsenal's season has been the contract situation with the winger - though he would prefer to be known as a striker. It currently looks as if he is more likely to stay, and his performance will continue to be under scrutiny until he does seal a deal. Luckily, he is currently enjoying some of the best football of his career and will once again pose a stern threat.
Younes Belhanda
Younes Belhanda
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 10
Games Goals YC RC
6 2 1 0
The midfielder is always one to watch for the French side, and could be the key for his side if they are to get anything out of the game with his vision and passing making likely to cause problems for the Premier League outfit with two goals in four Champions League appearances already this term.
Prediction
The Gunners will be full of confidence after their derby victory over Tottenham, and with their opponents' title win beginning to look like a flash in the pan, expect the English side to run out comfortable winners.
Editor's Prediction
Arsenal 3
Montpellier Herault SC 0
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid 		12 0
Robert Lewandowski Robert Lewandowski
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Dortmund 		10 1
Thomas Müller Thomas Müller
Striker
Bayern 		8 1
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona 		8 0
Burak Yılmaz Burak Yılmaz
Striker
Galatasaray 		8 0