Champions League Preview: Arsenal – Standard Liege

By Richard Parry

Kick-Off: Tuesday, November 24, 19:45.
Emirates Stadium, London.

Arsenal go into their match against Standard Liege knowing that a single point will secure their progression from Group H to the Champions League knock-out stages.

The Gunners will not underestimate Liege on Tuesday evening, after the Belgian side stunned Arsene Wenger’s side by taking a two-goal lead in less than five minutes of the reverse fixture.

The Londoners manage to secure victory on that eventful night in September, with goals from Thomas Vermaelen, Nicklas Bendtner and Eduardo’s match-winning strike, ten minutes from time.

FORM GUIDE

Arsenal

Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal
Wolverhampton 1-4 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-1 AZ Alkmaar (Champions League)
Arsenal 3-0 Tottenham
Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool (League Cup)

Standard Liege

KAA Gent 2-1 Standard Liege
Standard Liege 3-1 Club Brugge
R.E. Mouscron 0-0 Standard Liege
Standard Liege 1-1 Zulte-Waregem
KVC Westerlo 2-0 Standard Liege

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal

Arsene Wenger faces something of a striking dilemma, with both Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner sidelined.

Eduardo will be most likely to deputise up front, whilst the impressive starlet, Carlos Vela may also feature after performing well against Sunderland last weekend.

Arsenal will welcome back left-back Kieran Gibbs for Tuesday's Champions League encounter with Standard Liege at the Emirates Stadium, after the 20-year-old is fit again after bruising his right ankle playing for England Under-21s last week.

Starting XI from last league match:  Almunia, Sagna, Vermaelen, Gallas, Traore, Song, Ramsey, Fabregas, Rosicky, Eduardo, Nasri.

Standard Liege

Standard Liege manager Laszlo Boloni will be hoping that his side fair better against Arsenal than they have been in the Belgian Jupiter League, having only once during the their last five games.

Former Tottenham defender Ricardo Rocha will return to the Emirates for the first time since the League Cup semi-final in 2007, a game in which the Portuguese stalwart would rather regret after his error lead to Arsenal’s decisive goal.

Starting XI from last Champions League match: Bolat, Felipe, Sarr, Rocha, Camozzato, Mangala, Witsel, Carcela-Gonzalez, Mbokani Bezua, Jovanovic, De Camargo.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Arsenal – Cesc Fabregas

In Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal have arguably the best midfielder in the World right now.  Their Spanish captain has been in scintillating form thus far this season, and is the heartbeat of the Arsenal side.

Having had a relatively quiet match against Sunderland last time out, Fabregas will be looking to get back to business on Tuesday evening, in what could prove a long night for Liege.

Standard Liege – Dieudonné Mbokani Bezua

Liege’s young Congolese striker could prove to be a real handful for Gallas and Vermaelen should be supplied with adequate deliveries.

The 24 year old forward bagged his first goal in this season Champions League campaign against Olympiakos last time out, and he’ll be looking to build on that performance.

PREDICTION

They may only need a point, and they may have two matches in which to earn it – but I feel that Arsenal will secure progression to the Champions League knock-out stages by obtaining all three against Liege on Tuesday night.

Arsenal are renowned for their fluid attacking style, and although an added steel has been introduced to enforce and compete with the physical demands of Premier League, they still insist on demolishing sides with finesse.

Arsenal 3-1 Standard Liege