Kieran Gibbs has been sucked back into his injury catch-22 and has swirled into the unavailable category due to a stomach muscle issue so Andre Santos who impressed when he came on during the weekend

Champions League action is back again this evening, a chance to take our minds of domestic worries and instead focus on what is the best club competition in football. Total separation from the Premier League is almost impossible though as our form line is looking a little too jagged for my liking. Back to back victories have been few and far between for some months now and it is only this that can make a change to the direction of that form line.

Opposition

Like many have said on various blog’s, it is surprising that Marseille and Arsenal come head to head for the first time in the club’s history. Although it is certainly not the first time Arsene Wenger has locked horns with his old enemy.

The French club will most probably have the same feeling that we do at present, a chance to drop the heavy baggage of domestic football and let their hair down in Europe. Marseille have also had a difficult time in their version of bread and butter football only managing to collect one victory in ten games this season while their CL form has been rather impressive, the highlight being a 3-0 victory against German Champions Borussia Dortmund.

Marseille have some very good players capable of causing Arsenal more than one or two problems. Players such as Loïc Rémy, Lucho González and André Ayew should be paid special attention.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Kieran Gibbs has been sucked back into his injury catch-22 and has swirled into the unavailable category due to a stomach muscle issue so Andre Santos who impressed when he came on during the weekend victory at home to Sunderland. The rest of the defence that started on Sunday are likely to pull their socks up and go again.

Midfield

Aaron Ramsey has recovered in time to be part of the match day squad but it remains to be seen if the Welshman who has been up and down with his performances, will be given a start in the engine room. Recent international football will be taken into account over the next few days. Tomas Rosicky had a very influential game in our last outing and was even removed with time left on the clock, so perhaps his legs were being rested for another run out a few days later in France. Personally, I think the European game suits Rosicky, his midfield link up play could be very useful as we will be trying to control the ball and dicatate the game.

Attack

A space in attack will surely be opened for Andrey Arshavin after his quality cameo display against the Wearsiders. As Theo Walcott was left on the pitch on Sunday while Gervinho was taken off I suspect that it will be Walcott that will stand down to the substitutes bench. Walcott has also played for his country while Gervinho has not.

As for Robin van Persie, is there ever a good time to rest your best player and the only consistent goal scorer? Whether that be against Stoke in the League or tonight’s game in the CL. One thing is for certain, it is too much to expect van Persie to be playing every minute for club and country in every fixture. But with Chamakh still searching high and low for his missing mojo and Ju Park assumedly still acclimatising to Wenger ball, it seems as if a short term 90 minute replacement for van Persie just isn’t possible. It would be hard enough trying to replace someone like Darren Bent let alone one of the best players in world football on current form.

Personally I want van Persie’s lower half as far away from Pulis and the gang as possible so I would rather he started tonight and we sacrificed someone else to Shawcross and the other clumsy, don’t like it up em thugs.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

Injuries

Kieran Gibbs appears to be the only one who did not make it through the weekend. Without wanting to tempt the injury gods, it looks as if we are looking somewhat healthier on the injury front, although two of our better players are out for the long term. We will be without messrs Sagna and Wilshere for the foreseeable but Abou Diaby and Thomas Vermaelen are within sight of some much needed first team football.

Injury List

Abou Diaby, Thomas Vermaelen, Kieran Gibbs, Bacary Sagna, Jack Wilshere

Four points from Marseille over these next two games would put us in a great position in the group but it is a hope rather than expectancy. Sleeves will have to be rolled up tonight and hard work must be the platform that the team need to build upon. Once we can show that commitment then the team can look to control the possession of the ball and hopefully chances can be carved out from that.

A back to back victory would be wonderful but a hard fought out draw would also be a decent result.

COYG.