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| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
MARSEILLE  Mandanda Azpilicueta, N'Koulou, Diawara, Morel Lucho, Diarra, CheyrouValbuena, Remy, A. Ayew | ARSENAL  Szczesny Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Santos Arteta, Song, Rosicky Walcott, Van Persie, Gervinho |
The hosts had to do without creative outlet Mathieu Valbuena in a 0-0 draw at Toulouse at the weekend but he is likely to return to the line-up, hoping to terrorise the Gunners’ defence. In-form striker Loic Remy should be joined by the prolific Andre Ayew in attack for the French side.
Lucho Gonzalez was one of many alleged Arsenal targets this summer and is set to take his place in a three-man central midfield.
Stephane Mbia remains a key injury problem for OM, while Rod Fanni and Jordan Ayew are both banned.
For the Gunners, choices in squad rotation are limited by a growing injury list to which Aaron Ramsey and Kieran Gibbs have been added this week. Arsene Wenger is likely to bring in Andre Santos at full-back if Gibbs isn't ready, and otherwise the team will be the same as the one that defeated Sunderland 2-1 in the Premier League at the weekend.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Arsenal and Marseille are set to face each other for the first time in European
competition.
- Marseille won the inaugural Champions League when current manager Didier Deschamps captained them to a 1-0 win over AC Milan.
- Deschamps played in England for just one season with Chelsea, as the Stamford Bridge outfit finished fifth in the 1999-2000 season.
- Marseille are one of three sides (along with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich) to maintain a 100 per cent record in the competition this year having won their two opening Champions League matches.
- The French outfit are also amongst three teams who have yet to concede a Champions League goal in this campaign along with Real Madrid and rivals Lyon.
Prediction
Marseille have suffered an unimpressive start to the season domestically as they sit 15th in Ligue 1 having lost three times and drawn an incredible six. Their form in the Champions League however has been a different matter as they posted wins away at Olympiakos and at home to Dortmund.
Arsenal themselves have had a poor domestic start but moved into the top half of the Premier League with victory at the weekend. Both sides have struggled defensively this year but contain exciting attacking units meaning we could well see a high scoring contest if this tie goes to form.
Editor's Prediction
Marseille 2-2 Arsenal 
