The spotlight has been on Denilson for the last couple of months, he hasn’t been at his best since his most recent set back. We do not know how fit he is and if his injury has completely healed or not

Champions League is back and it means business, mistakes are much more difficult to reverse at this stage compared to the group stages when you are usually given another go to correct any wrong doings. This is the time for teams to get serious and pick up results regardless of performance.

Arsene Wenger had been forced to send out his team with one arm strapped to their backs as the Gooners search for a result to take back to the Emirates. The Arsenal team have had their spine ripped out and it is Wenger’s job to patch it up as best as he can.

Almunia, Gallas, Song and Van Persie are all absent for the trip to Portugal along with Eduardo and Arshavin who have also been struck down with the all too familiar injury curse.

As fantastic as Gallas is and how well he played against Liverpool, I have no worries about Sol Campbell coming in and doing a fine job. Sol has proved he has what it takes to remain at the top level, at least for the remainder of the season with his sprinkling of appearances, even without a run of games, Campbell’s experience has compensated wonderfully.

Alex Song’s calm presence in the midfield would have been more of my concern but I think the European game will suit Denilson more than his usual bread and butter in the Premier League, at least until he finds some form and confidence, the break would have done him some good, a chance to wipe the slate clean and start again since his return to the first team from injury.

I am very intrigued to see how we approach the game, that will be the second thing I look out for after how and which players line up.

Many have said that the Liverpool game had bored them to tears, I actually thoroughly enjoyed the game, perhaps not for attacking entertainment but for the graft, shape and organisation of the Arsenal team from back to front.

Had we approached the game against both Manchester United and Chelsea in the same vein then I do not believe that we would be sitting so far off the pace, especially at Stamford Bridge.

Watching the players learning from their mistakes and doing something about it was almost as enjoyable as Diaby’s header late on to put the Scousers to the sword.

In the Estádio do Dragão stadium, I envisage much of the same, especially given the fact that the game is over two legs. I do not think we will over commit and the side will look to keep its shape and balance, even when pressing for goals as the team will always do. I would gladly sacrifice a few extra goals for a solid platform throughout the game.

I would love to see Emanuel Eboue start on the right of the attack and the manager may start with him to keep the game tighter but Wenger may also feel that is being a little too conservative, so we could see both Nasri and Rosicky playing either side of Bendtner. If not then Rosicky would be likely to drop to the bench.

Bendtner, I feel is waiting to explode into life. He has shown much promise in his games since his groin operation but he is lacking the sharpness that will come with games. Hopefully the weeks training would have done him some good.

As much as Arsene will want his team to be disciplined defensively, he also knows that an away goal is valuable, even more so knowing that we have a good home record. I heart tells me that we have enough talent to score in Portugal but my gut says that we will not create enough clear cut chances.

The good news is that many of my predictions have been completely wrong and I hope this is the case this evening.

One to watch: Denilson

The spotlight has been on Denilson for the last couple of months, he hasn’t been at his best since his most recent set back. We do not know how fit he is and if his injury has completely healed or not. His job will be important tonight and I am backing him to get back to pre injury form

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

I have had a nagging feeling for a while that we would lose the first and win the tie, so although I am feeling more upbeat and confident, I am going to listen to my original feelings. If we are to lose, then a one goal deficit with us scoring the away goal would be far more beneficial.

Whatever happens, I just hope the players can be passionate and controlled, if so then we can get a good result, ready to take them back and slap them into next week.

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