It is clear that Arsenal simply have to beat the champions of Belgium tonight, not just to keep us in with a chance of winning the group stage ahead of Borussia Dortmund, but to get the confidence flowing and get the season back on track after a string of disappointing results.
The Gunners need a similar sort of morale boosting result as the 4-1 drubbing of Galatasaray in our last group game. But even that game showed why we have struggled so far, because despite dominating the game we could not keep a clean sheet. And that goal came with a red card for Wojciech Szczesny and with David Ospina ruled out with injury, Arsenal will have to start with the inexperienced youngster Emiliano Martinez.
So with our first choice right back Mathieu Debuchy and centre back Laurent Koscielny out as well, it is not hard to see where our biggest weakness lies. That is why I think that Calum Chambers and Mathieu Flamini have huge parts to play for Arsenal tonight. I expect Chambers to partner Mertesacker in the centre of defence and Flamini needs to offer them as much protection as possible. If they play well, Arsenal should win.
I’m confident that our attacking players have got what it takes to breach the Anderlecht defence, but can we keep them out at the other end?