Emmanuel Frimpong and Francis Coquelin will be fighting it out to take over from Song’s role in the midfield. The European game could suit the ball playing style of Coquelin but Frimpong has come in for Song already this season and has done very well. Personally I would plump for the Frenchman in this instance but I believe that Wenger will choose Frimpong as his chief ball

‘The Champions!!!’ I can hear that music in my head as I type this and it gets me all excited. I do enjoy the CL nights, it really does have a different feeling to the domestic competition. It is also nice to face teams who do not use parking the bus and whacking the ball forward to a large target man as their only game plan. It is rare to find rugby in the Champions League.

Our result against Borussia Dortmund on match day 1 was certainly a good result, especially when you look at last night’s results *chuckle* but I guess our draw in Germany will only be a good result if we can follow it up with a victory against Greek Champions Olympiacos.

Opposition

This will be pretty easy really. I know absolutely nothing about the team we face tonight apart from the fact that they won the league last season and managed to lose 1-0 to Marseille at home in the first group of fixtures. We will be favourites to win the match tonight and we have to make sure we can do that.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Only Arsenal football club can be so consistent in having a large chunk of players injured in the same position almost every season. This time it is our central defence that has taken a whack. Laurent Koscielny joins Johan Djourou, Thomas Vermaelen, Sebastien Squillaci and youngster Ignasi Miquel on the treatment table. That is insanity. Our only fit central defender is Per Mertesacker and he will have to forge a quick relationship with Alex Song who is almost certainly set to drop back into central defence.

Left back is another position that Arsene could rotate if he needed or wanted to. We will have most of the possession at the Emirates and the European competition could suit the style of Andre Santos so I wouldn’t be too shocked if Arsene does make that change but with Song moving back into defence, I wouldn’t be all too surprised if Arsene Wenger did not want to ring in too many changes at once.

Midfield

Emmanuel Frimpong and Francis Coquelin will be fighting it out to take over from Song’s role in the midfield. The European game could suit the ball playing style of Coquelin but Frimpong has come in for Song already this season and has done very well. Personally I would plump for the Frenchman in this instance but I believe that Wenger will choose Frimpong as his chief ball winner.

Attack

Theo Walcott and Gervinho both miss out with injuries suffered against Bolton so our attack should look somewhat different this evening. Andrey Arshavin will replace Gervinho and if you were going like for like then you would expect Alex Chamberlain to start on the right but with Tomas Rosicky fit, I think Arsene may well go for Champions League experience over raw talent. At least if we do it that way then we have the chance to control the game first with Rosicky’s ball retention and defensive work. With Chamberlain on the bench we still have the option to go more attacking in that area if need be. If Chamberlain starts and does not play well then a switch with Rosicky would not be the best choice.

Injuries

Our injuries list is getting worse but luckily many of those on the treatment table are not far away from returning to the squad, leaving only Jack Wilshere as the one long term absentee.

Injured list:

Abou Diaby, Thomas Vermaelen, Jack Wilshere, Yossi Benayoun, Johan Djourou, Laurent Koscielny, Theo Walcott, Gervinho, Ignasi Miquel

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

We have a number of players out injured but even with that being the case, we still have plenty of quality to win this game. So much so that I would be happy to have either Coquelin or Frimpong in midfield and either Rosicky or Chamberlain on the right of attack.

We have to follow up from our second half performance on the weekend, pass quickly, create chances and be positive. If we work hard enough defensively then we should have more than enough to win the game.

Come on you reds!