Anderlecht vs Arsenal Preview, Line up and Predicted score by KJ
We still haven’t really kicked on this season and even though we managed to beat Galatasaray fairly comfortably a few weeks ago, a poor decision by Szczesny leaves us with reserve keeper Damian Martinez starting in a Champions League game that we need to win.
Our defence is suffering numerous injuries which has forced us to play players out of position or to dip into our reserves and that puts a lot of pressure on our midfielders. They will need to dictate the tempo of the game far better than we did against Hull and to ensure that the first counter attack isn’t a goal.
I’m expecting a big game from Sanchez and Welbeck once again. They’ll do the majority of pressing and they seem to be settling into the Champions League for us. It is still early days but the signs are promising. I want this game to be a confidence builder for us as we are sure to mentally fragile after another poor performance and result.
Line up:
Martinez
Bellerin – Mertesacker – Chambers – Gibbs
Arteta
Sanchez – Ramsey – Cazorla – Chamberlain
Welbeck
Martinez will have to start with Szczesny’s suspension and Ospina’s 3 month injury. He’ll need to be commanding but the defence in front of him will need to inspire him with confidence.
Bellerin had a torrid time away at Dortmund but this is a different test and he was pretty good against Hull. I expect him to have a stronger game this time round.
Ramsey and Arteta should be back and considering they are both first choice central midfielders at Arsenal, this should be a big boost for us and can hopefully push us on into some consistent winning form.
Chamberlain had a torrid time against Hull and Wenger may drop him for Campbell but I’d like to see him start and prove to Wenger it was just a one off (which it was).
This is still a Champions League game away from home against a decent team but I’d like to think we can win this one. 3 – 1 to the Gunners.