Rosicky couldn’t make the difference when he came on at the weekend but hopefully he will be raring to go probably from the left attacking position. He is more than due a goal and I am backing him to get his name on the score sheet at some

As I flick my laptop open trying to think about Braga later on this evening, I end up thinking about a way to get through the piece without mentioning what happened on Saturday lunchtime. It isn’t really possible so I have decided to get it over and done with once and for all. A kind of saying goodbye at the airport moment I guess.

Arsene Wenger and his troops set off to Portugal with more than qualifying in mind, it is more than a case of getting into the next round of the most important cup competition in domestic football. The players will know that much more will be expected from them when the referee blows that whistle.

Every player will have to run that extra yard, snap into tackles with that little extra bite and more importantly than anything else, keep giving everything from the start until the finish. It will take more than a result and performance in Portugal to wipe away the pain but moving away from last weekend is the only thing that the players, manager and equally the supporters can do. The players need to use it for extra motivation, not that extra motivation should be needed but that is all. Thinking about the wrongs too much can lead to anxiety or nerves when in similar positions in future.

Wenger will make a few changes from the weekend, some forced and some down to sharpness issues. Well at least that is the official line. Andrey Arshavin who played 90+ minutes for Russia last weekend and then most of the London derby on Sunday will be left behind. Gael Clichy has a return of his achy breaky back problem so Kieran Gibbs will surely come in and we all cross our fingers that he can complete a full game without damage being done to his feet.

Robin Van Persie will be left behind to gain match sharpness which sounds a little strange to me. Surely you gain match sharpness from playing in football matches. After playing 45 minutes for the Dutch and then coming off the bench against the Spuds you would have thought he was in perfect condition to start the game in Portugal. As long as he has no injury problems and we win the game then it is no major problem.

Nicklas Bendtner is likely to grab the opportunity to lead the line, hopefully better than he managed in his last Champions League away match in Donetsk. Theo Walcott is probably likely to get a start also on the right. Jack Wilshere will also come back into the side but it is unsure as to whether Cesc Fabregas will join him. Arsene has spoken about not wanting to risk any hamstring problems so he may take his place on the substitutes bench alongside form creator Samir Nasri who has played a lot of football in a short space of time.

After the previous result and the need to qualify as quickly as possible, it could be a risk to make so many changes to his team but with the international game in between Everton and Tottenham, Wenger may feel it necessary to in an attempt to prevent injury and fatigue.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

One to watch: Tomas Rosicky

One of my favourite Arsenal players should be on show tonight, with the midfield likely to consist of both Jack Wilshere and Denilson, it should make for quite a quick passing and flowing midfield.
Rosicky couldn’t make the difference when he came on at the weekend but hopefully he will be raring to go probably from the left attacking position. He is more than due a goal and I am backing him to get his name on the score sheet at some point during the 90 minutes.

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

Braga 1 Arsenal 3 (Bendtner, Walcott, Rosicky)

Needless to say, a good performance and result will be vital if the players want to move on. Qualifying as group winners will be important as the sides topping the rest of the groups look very strong and Arsene will want to do all he can to avoid being drawn against one of the bigger sides in the next stage.
Braga will be a much better side than they were at the Emirates earlier in the season, especially with Arsene possibly rotating a few of the squad but hopefully we will show the required desire, intelligence and ability to get the victory.