Theo Walcott who came on as a late substitute on Saturday will surely pick up the reins this evening, probably on the right wing and Andrey Arshavin could and should return to add some attacking spark to the left

The Champions League tie this evening will certainly be a welcomed fixture for Arsene Wenger as our manager will want his players to get straight back onto the bike and ride out a victory that will see them sail through into the next round as group winners. Wenger will also want his players to regain some confidence after firing blanks in the stad de light.

This was really a game that Wenger wanted to go crazy with his rotation and practically field a Carling Cup side but thanks to the other result not going in our favour when we dismantled AZ Alkmaar at the Emirates it means that we go into the game needed a point to secure qualification. With the international matches still lingering in certain players’ legs and the small matter of Chelsea coming to the Emirates on Sunday you can be sure that Wenger will go at least half crazy with his rotation.

I think we will see a strong bench as back up just in case Standard Liege forget to read the script. The game could be used to bring back some familiar faces who haven’t been around lately. Theo Walcott who came on as a late substitute on Saturday will surely pick up the reins this evening, probably on the right wing and Andrey Arshavin could and should return to add some attacking spark to the left.

The center forward position is interesting. Arsene will want to give Eddie time in the central role to get him accustomed to it but as Eduardo played for Croatia then for most of the game on Saturday will Arsene risk him tonight as well as Sunday? I am not so sure, especially as he played our last Premier League match before the international break, away to Wolves. So I would expect Carlos Vela to have a crack at the proverbial whip, especially as Arsene has been waxing lyrical about the young forward.

Wenger can breathe a sigh of relief as he can rest Alex Song at long last. Mr opinion divider Denilson is back and should slot nicely back into that position to replace Alex Song, not like for like of course but he can bring many different qualities to that role, i.e. positional sense and interceptions.

Arsene will want to keep some stability to the side but it will be tricky with many players who have clocked up some mileage in recent weeks. Cesc is likely to start and I guess the question is who will play alongside him. Aaron Ramsey had an up and down game in central midfield on the weekend but Arsene may want to give him another chance to show his true worth, although after much deliberating I guess that he will drop Nasri back into that position as the attacking roles have been filled.

Argubaly the biggest call of the night if my predicted line up ends up true, would be the resting of William Gallas. Our manager has decided to keep our central defensive partnership together for the whole season so far (Carling Cup apart) but surely this is one game too many for Gallas. The question would be who would come in to replace him? Who is further up the pecking order? Senderos would the better choice for Gallas being right footed but I am not sure if a player who was on the verge of leaving will be higher up than a player who was willing to sit on the bench this term.

I am hoping that even with a make shift team, we will still have enough to wrap up the game nice and early with enough time to give the likes of Wilshere and Merida a run out before games against Manchester City and then Olympiakos away.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

The Gunners to get back to business and hopefully Eduardo can get his name on the score sheet ahead of some very important domestic matches.