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(L-R) Santi Cazorla, Nacho Monreal, Kieran Gibbs and Bacary Sagna of Arsenal during a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Play Off first leg match against Fenerbache at London Colney on August 20, 2013 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Surrounded by the backlash of fans following a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa over the weekend, Arsene Wenger now faces the daunting task of playing a fixture that could well decide the fate of his team’s entire season.
Arsenal’s mettle and credentials are going to be at stake on the road in a tough away game at Fenerbahce’s atmospheric Surku Saracoglu Stadium tonight. Fenerbahce, stocked with quality players, are one of Turkey’s elite teams and are a difficult proposition in front of their own fans.
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The Turks have among their ranks players who have experience of the Premier League and who are well accustomed to the English style of play. Their star player is ex-Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt – who made more than 200 appearances for the Reds during his time in England – and Senegal international Moussa Sow, their most successful striker last season. The Fenerbahce line-up also possesses the services of Raul Meireles and Bruno Alves, both with experience of playing in the European tournament.
The Turkish team have recently been entangled in controversy following match-fixing allegations and could well be banned from the competition if they lose on legal grounds. However, Arsenal cannot count on this and should try to come out in a favourable position from the first leg.
On the positive side, Arsenal have kept clean sheets in five of their last six away games in Europe. Arsenal have also got a boost on the fitness front ahead of the game, with Bacary Sagna, Kieren Gibbs, Tomas Rosicky and Aaron Ramsey all travelling with the team. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the only one missing out from the line-up that played against Aston Villa.
Although Arsenal are favourites to win, they will have to deal with the pressure of playing under a hostile crowd, and keeping up with the expectations of the more than ever antagonistic supporters back home.
Prediction: Arsenal (1 – 1) Fenerbahce
