UEFA Champions League Tuesday: Arsenal Vs. Braga, Gunners Hoping To Put North London Derby Behind Them

While Arsenal thrashed SC Braga 6-0 at the Emirates back in September, doubts remain about the Gunners' ability to make a good showing in today's match. A win would see Arsenal through to the knockout stages, but after Saturday's match, in which Arsenal allowed a 2-0 halftime lead to morph into a 3-2 victory for Tottenham Hotspur, and their last Champions League match, when Shakhtar Donetsk came from behind to win 2-1, it seems nothing can be taken for granted.

Arsène Wenger brings a weakened team to Portugal, leaving behind Robin van Persie, Andrey Arshavin and Gaël Clichy. The continued injury woes of captain Cesc Fàbregas mean that his hamstring injury will almost certainly see him relegated to the bench. Young left-back Kieran Gibbs will likely get the start, and Nicklas Bendtner, coming off a groin injury, should see the field. Samir Nasri, who has been brilliant in the absence of Fàbregas, will likely not start, but should things get ugly Wenger will not hesitate to call on the midfielder.