arsene wenger

Arsenal will look to maintain their winning run in this year’s Champions League, as they head to AZ Akmaar, who haven’t quite lived up to their hype. The Gunners top Group 6, and their 2-0 win over Olympiakos on Match Day Two, was a comfortable contrast to the struggle they had to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Standard Liege in their first match. It was more of the Arsenal we have come to expect, and the Dutch Champions Alkmaar who were full of promise heading into their first Champions League campaign, have yet to secure a win. They do look a confident side, and it is not often that they get badly breached, but as we know, all teams have their off days.

Bad news for Arsenal and England, is that striker Theo Walcott will be missing again through injury. The youngster had only just returned to the set up after a long absence, and now new knee ligament damage will likely keep him out of action again for another month. That is a big blow to the future international star, but it is probably better that it happens now as opposed to just before the World Cup next year. At least he has time to heal again and still get a good three quarters of a season under his belt. The youngster has a lot of potential and future promise, and Arsene Wenger recognises that Walcott is an integral part of England and Arsenal’s future success.

It does kind of point to a growing list of crocked Gunners, as Denilson, Tomas Rosicky, Lukasz Fabianski, Nicklas Bendtner, Eduardo da Silva and Johan Djourou are all still out of action. Still Arsenal will be fuelled by their Premier League position, and they are still a class above most. AZ Alkmaar were a surprise entity going into the Champions League, with a strong home record, but have only managed a draw and a defeat so far. Another defeat here would seriously dent their chances of making it out of the Group. Alkmaar, with legend Ronald Koeman at the helm have only won two games in total out their eight played in all compeitions so far, and now they have to come up against Arsenal, who have the most shots on target in the Champions League so far.

On the domestic scene, that is something which has been accented, as Arsenal have rediscovered their heavy scoring touch with 9 goals in their last two Premier League games. Their most recent was a 3-1 victory over Birmingham on Saturday, which lifted the Gunners into fourth place, just four points off the top, and with the best goal difference in the league. That will please boss Arsene Wenger, and a third win out of three on Tuesday night will keep the train running.

Alkmaar to win: 6/1 at Boylesports
Draw: 3/1 at Bet365
Arsenal to win: 8/15 at Totesport

Betting Advice: Alkmaar have one of the best home records when it comes to European competition, but many will argue that is because they have contested much at the top level of European competition. The Champions League is proving difficult stomping ground for them, and their previous game, a 1-1 tie with Standard Liege, has left them bottom of the group. Arsenal in contrast are easily the best team in Group H, and while their last away trip in the Champions League went a bit awry early on, they still had the class to run out as winners. It is hard to see any other outcome here than an Arsenal win, giving Arsene Wenger a nice 60th birthday present.
Arsenal -2 Asian Handicap: 11/4 at Bet365