Champions League 2014-15: Anderlecht vs Arsenal - Match Preview

Arsenal players during the training session ahead of Anderlecht game

Ah, the Champions League. Nothing quite gets the hairs standing up on the back of your neck like the Champions League music playing on European nights at Arsenal. Winter is nearing and the nights are drawing in which adds to the magic. European nights at Highbury were always something special and from what I am told by those who went, the greatest ever European night at Arsenal was against tonight’s opponents.

In 1970, trailing 3-1 from the first leg, Arsenal produced a scintillating performance against the troublesome Belgians to win 3-0 on the night and take the Fairs Cup 4-3 on aggregate. It sounds like an incredible night for those who went.

Much has happened in the last 44 years and a similar result for Arsenal is probably the minimum expected given how Anderlecht are rated by our supporters. I cannot say they are a terrible side as I don’t watch much Belgian football, if any, but I do know Anderlecht have almost been a consistent feature in the Champions League over the past 12 years and have been in the group stages for 3 years in a row now.

Arsenal’s form has been up and down more regularly than the global stock markets so far this season and so far I’ve had better success predicting the stocks using www.binaryuno.com than I have predicting the Arsenal results with all those pesky draws! As such the pressure is on for Arsenal to win this game regardless of the opposition but with a perceived gulf in class nothing less than a rout will satisfy the baying mobs and journalists who wait eagerly whilst sharpening their pens into shivs.

Drawing at home to Hull City on Saturday felt like a defeat and with David Ospina confirmed out for 3 months the malaise is palpable. Despite facing a so-called whipping boy Arsenal start at a disadvantage with the forced Champions League debut of Damian Martinez in goal. Anderlecht may feel that we are there for the taking and who could blame them? We certainly look more like bending over than squeezing in a few kicks to a dead dog this season.

Arsenal from; Martinez, Bellerin, Chambers, Monreal, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Arteta, Wilshere, Flamini, Chamberlain, Ramsey, Rosicky, Alexis, Cazorla, Welbeck, Campbell

Predicted Line-up

Martinez, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Chambers, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla, Chamberlain, Welbeck, Sanchez

I expect to see substitute appearances from Ramsey, Flamini and Campbell

Match Quote

“If we play at the level we did against Galatasaray, we should be able to get the result.” - Wojciech Szczesny

Last 2 Meetings

• Anderlecht 3-1 Arsenal (21.04.1970)
• Arsenal 3-0 Anderlecht (28.04.1970)

Form Guide

Arsenal Last 5DLWDL

Anderlecht Last 5DDLWW

Opposition watch

Anderlecht haven’t been in the best run of form but they know we can be got at so I expect them to play on the offensive which should give us the advantage. They are roughly at the quality of Galatasaray both domestically and internationally so compared to our last match this should be equally as comfortable if we turn up.

Factfile

• Anderlecht have finished bottom of the group stages in their last 7 runs
• Arsenal have faced Anderlect twice before losing one and winning one of a two legged final – they won overall

Prediction

This game should pose little to no trouble for Arsenal and whilst I expected a huge rout for Arsenal I think the universe gave its fair share of Champions League goals to the matches last night so I’ll go for a modest yet convincing 3-0 with goals from Sanchez, Welbeck and Ramsey.