Arsenal versus Marseilles preview: Qualification beckons « Untold Arsenal: Arsenal News, supporting the club, the players and the manager

Arsenal versus Marseilles has come around, and with it the opportunity to pretty much tie up our Champions League qualification with a victory. Coming top is key in order to increase the likelihood of an easier game in the next round, but many have suggested Wenger may rotate somewhat. The obvious candidate for a breather is the effervescent Robin Van Persie, and if the Dutchman is carrying any form of knock or injury I would leave him out or bench him, depending on the severity. However if leaving him out would simply be giving him a breather, I’d disagree with it: let’s tie the group up now, and rest players later in the campaign.

On the injury front, Diaby’s return has been delayed for three more weeks due to a muscular problem, but it’s not the worst time for it to happen with the international break looming. Chamakh is out along with Gibbs, and long term absentees Sagna and Wilshere are also on the treatment table. The Diaby injury is disappointing, as we’re short of numbers in the middle of the park. At present, compared to last season we are without Denilson, Fabregas, Wilshere and Diaby, with only a couple of additions to offset those losses. While Diaby is a player who divides opinion, his return would give us more options in the middle of the park.

Szcznesy

Jenkinson Mertesacker Koscielny Santos

Song Arteta

Ramsey

Walcott Van Persie Gervinho

As you can see from the above, I’m pretty much going for the strongest available team here. There are rotation options available that wouldn’t cost us too much in terms of quality, with Vermaelen perhaps coming in at centreback or Rosicky in the middle. However given the level of recent performances, unless fatigue or injury suggests rotation may be wise in the long term, I’d stick with the same line up. Key players such as Van Persie can always start and be subbed off.

Chamakh’s absence suggests Park could well be introduced from the bench at some stage, which will be interesting. Wenger mentioned that Marseilles are a side that are better playing away than at home because of their counter attacking style, so we could well see goals in this game. Arsenal are not a side who are going to set up in order to win 1-0, so we’ll be relying on our superior possession game to secure the defence and the intelligence of our defenders to marshal the space left behind us

While qualification is pretty much in our grasp, top spot isn’t with only a point between us and Marseilles in second. That suggests to me that a win will be required for us to feel comfortable enough to really rest the first eleven in the final two group games, though a draw would make top spot a step closer too. I’m expecting a close game, with plenty of chances but Arsenal to win it 3-1.