At 2:45 p.m. Arsenal will face off against Marseille in Stade Velodrome, France for some Group F, UEFA Champions League fun. Live stream the action by clicking this link.
Unlike the boundless optimism that comes with the opening of a season, Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger is sounding an alarm of caution as his Gunners get ready to face Marseille in France. Wenger believes that Arsenal's injury situation, coupled with a brutally competitive group could spell doom for his club.
"If you look at the group, I would say yes it is the hardest group because all the four teams have a chance to qualify," Wenger said. "That means the every game is basically a very important one. On average you need 10 points to qualify so that gives you the task - 10 points in a group is difficult as that could be a reasonable number to get through."
There is some good news for Arsenal; highly touted transfer acquisition Mesut Ozil will play today despite muscle tightness. Olivier Giroud will also suit up and take the pitch for the Gunners.
Still, the absences of Santi Cazorla, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski will be felt, leaving several unproven teenagers to grow up quickly against difficult opposition.
"The situation of the other players is we had some small knocks but for Wednesday they look okay," Wenger said. "But of course I am concerned because from now they play for two months every three or four days and it's important we get some players back because you cannot play for the next two months with the squad we have at the moment."
Marseille boss Elie Baup acknowledged Arsenal's big money signings and admitted that the Gunners look better on paper. He also said his side can overcome the glitzy roster of Arsenal with teamwork.
"When a club can pay 50million Euros for a player like Ozil and bring such a quality player, it is very good for them," Baup said. "But I think we have recruited well, brought in some young players and we're trying to build something for the short and mid-term."
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