Getty Images
| PROBABLE LINE-UPS |
ARSENAL  Szczesny Djourou, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Santos Song, Arteta, RamseyWalcott, Van Persie, Gervinho | MARSEILLE  Mandanda Fanni, Diawara, N'Koulou, Morel Lucho, Diarra, Cheyrou Valbuena, Remy, A. Ayew |
Meanwhile, Bacary Sagna and Jack Wilshere are both out with ankle injuries and are not expected to play any part in this clash. Andrey Arshavin could come in place of Gervinho if the latter needs rest following the exertions at Stamford Bridge, where the Gunners defeated Chelsea in a sensational 5-3 victory.
Didier Deschamps may put forth an attacking line-up to take revenge on Arsenal for the defeat they suffered at home, while hoping to boost their prospects of qualifying for the next stage of the Champions League.
Mathieu Valbuena is likely to fall back a bit when Marseille are starved of possession, otherwise he should play a more attacking role with Loic Remy and Jordan Ayew proving to be the primary threat in the attacking third of the pitch. The latter returns after serving a tournament suspension, while Rod Fanni also comes back into the fold after being banned.
Stephane Mbia is their only absentee after suffering a broken metatarsal in August.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
Arsenal are so far undefeated in the group stage of the Champions League, winning two and drawing one of their three games. Every other team in Group F has lost at least one match.
- This will be the first time that the Gunners are taking on a French club at the Emirates Stadium in the European competition. The last time they played a team from Ligue 1 was in 2002-03, when they lost 2-1 to Auxerre at Highbury.
- Arsene Wenger's men have had trouble keeping clean sheets in recent weeks, as they have managed only one in their last seven games in all competitions. But that came against Didier Deschamps' men at the Stade Velodrome - where they registered a 1-0 victory.
- In the last five games for the Gunners, skipper Robin van Persie has scored seven goals.
- Marseille have scored 12 goals in their last four away games in the Champions League, with their biggest victory coming in the form of a 7-0 thrashing of Zilina in 2010.
- The visitors are also on an undefeated run of six games in Ligue 1, but find themselves in a mid-table position due to a poor start to their domestic campaign.
Prediction
Arsenal have been in solid form of late, winning their last five games in all competitions. In the Champions League, the Gunners have lost only one of their last 40 matches at home.
With the kind of confidence they will have gathered from their recent outings - including the victory over Deschamps' men in France - a victory should be on the cards.
With the kind of confidence they will have gathered from their recent outings - including the victory over Deschamps' men in France - a victory should be on the cards.
Editor's Prediction
Arsenal 3-1 Marseille 
