Arsenal will get the chance to pretty much secure top spot in Group F of the Champions League on Tuesday night, as they face their closest challengers Marseille again. The two sides met on Match Day Three, and it was the Gunners who came away with an impressive 1-0 victory, which is not an easy thing to do at the Stade Velodrome. It wasn’t a performance full of flair or much cohesion, but a late goal from Aaron Ramsey was enough. Arsenal, who after a strong start in last season’s Champions League could only manage a second place in the group, have the chance to make amends with another good performance here. While Arsenal have remained unbeaten over their first three matches, their last home match, a 2-1 win over Olympiacos, showed a lot of defensive problems that the Gunners have. These are the same defensive problems which blighted their first half performance against Chelsea on the weekend. A lack of pace, a lack of positioning, strength and confidence. It wasn’t until midfielder Alex Song sat a little deeper for more protection, did Arsenal start to get a grip, and thanks to Robin van Persie once again, the Gunners were clinical enough on the break to kill off their London rivals in a great 5-3 win. But while the Gunners are reveling in all the praise of the plaudits which have been heaped upon them, and while they have earned some kudos for turning around their poor start to the season where they looked a total shambles, Wenger can’t ignore the defensive frailties which are still there. He will also have one eye on their poor home record against French teams as well, because the Gunners haven’t beaten French opposition on home soil in their last two meetings. A draw against Lyon in in the 2001/03 season was followed up the following season by a home defeat against Auxerre. But surely, with the marked improvement in form in the Premier League, the Gunners should be good enough for something at the Emirates on Tuesday night in Arsenal v Marseille Champions League betting.
Marseille, as they proved in last year’s competition, are a decent side themselves, and can be a very powerful physical force to contend with. They have had far more attempts on goal in their opening three Champions League matches than Arsenal have managed in theirs. The French have won two of their Champions League matches, but need to redress the reverse they suffered against Arsenal on Match Day Three. That was a big blow for them, but if the French can get something out of this result, they will keep their hopes alive of pinching top spot if the Gunners slip up in their final two matches. So this is a big game for both of these sides, a battle for the top in Group F. Arsenal have a one point advantage there at the moment, with both sides having scored four goals, and on the evidence of the meeting on Match Day Three, there really is not all that much to choose between the two sides. So this will be a great test for each, as they both could do with maximum points. It wouldn’t be a disaster for either if they played out for a draw, as both are favourites to get through anyway. But Arsenal would be hard to topple off top spot if they pick up a home win. Their home form in the Premier League suggests that they will do that. Arsenal’s total home record against French sides is W3 D2 L2, and the Gunners have made it out of the group stage for eleven consecutive seasons now, and that doesn’t look as if that is going to get broken this season. Arsenal are actually on a run of six consecutive home wins in the Champions League, and are unbeaten in eleven at home. Marseille, well they have managed only one win on English soil in their last ten trips there.
But as well as needing a definite tune up at the back though, Arsenal really need to find an alternative source of goals aside from Robin van Persie (who has one in the tournament so far). Should he be absent for any length of time then any chance of going too deep in the competition is going to be very limited. But still, while he is fit, the Premier League’s most consistent striker should be banked on to fire Arsenal forward. A tough match, but if Arsenal get over this hurdle with another three points, then they should be home and dry for top spot and place in the next round.
Arsenal v Marseille Champions League Betting
Arsenal to win: 4/6 at Bet365
Draw: 3/1 at Boylesports
Marseille to win: 5/1 at BetFair
Online bookmaker Paddy Power are running a Champions League promotion for the Arsenal v Marseille match on Tuesday night. There is a great Money Back Special to be had, as if Robin van Persie scores the last goal of the match, then Paddy Power will pay out refunds on all losing First Goalscorer, Last Goalscorer, Correct Score and Scorecast singles which have been placed on the match. Pretty decent coverage, and the man himself is handsomely priced at 7/2 as First Goalscorer, so you could take that bet, and if he fails there, but nets the final goal of the game, then you have the insurance in place to get your lost stake refunded. The highly popular Paddy Power offer a free £50 bet as a sign up bonus for new customers registering an account with them.
