Following our frankly disappointing 2-2 draw at home to PSG a couple of weeks ago, top spot is now out of our hands, with PSG looking the more likely to finish on top of Group A.
It’s hard to call, especially as we don’t know what Arsene Wenger is planning, but whatever he decides, lets hope he doesn’t regret playing youngsters if PSG were to slip up. Check out all of the Arsenal’s betting odds for this game once Wenger has revealed his hand.
They host Ludogorets (a game we won 6-0, losing Santi Cazorla in the process), while we make the short trip to Basel and it remains to be seen whether Arsene Wenger risks it all to win the game or accepts second place, and fields a second string XI. Plenty of players could use a rest, including Koscielny, Mustafi and Alexis Sanchez.
The Chilean is most in need of a rest, he went to South America and reportedly picked up an injury, played on regardless, scoring twice for Chile. He then came back and cracked on, Arsene Wenger called him a machine, and you’d struggle to disagree. He apparently had a back back at half time against West Ham, but still cracked on and grabbed an incredible hat trick. Not sure anyone would be surprised to see him starting against for Arsenal tomorrow night, despite our desperation to see him rested.
Olivier Giroud is expected to return to the fold after missing the West Ham game, while David Ospina should also play as he seems to be prefered for the Champions League by Arsene Wenger. Lucas Perez could also feature after recovering from injury. Francis Coquelin will be suspended for the game.
It’s yet not clear whether Carl Jenkinson will return to the side after a crisis of confidence, should find out at Wenger’s press conference.
Gabriel should be ok to continue as right back despite a rough ride at West Ham where he was on the end of several touch tackles and head clashes.
We go to Switzerland full of confidence on the back of an astonishing display away at West Ham, with an Alexis Sanchez hat trick masterclass the highlight. Along with his assist for Ozil to open the scoring and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s long range strike, which saw us soar to second in the Premier League.
ArsenalShorts prediction: another win to keep us going, but not enough to top the group. Basel 1-2 Arsenal.
