Both Mesut Özil and Olivier Giroud were in doubt ahead of Arsenal's Champions League group stage opener against Marseille, though have been included in Arsène Wenger's starting team. Just as well they have recovered from their respective problems, given the Gunners' current injury problems in attack. They're without seven players through injury, though defender Per Mertesacker is included after a recent virus.
Marseille vs. Arsenal: Lineups
Both Mesut Özil and Olivier Giroud have been given starting berths in Arsène Wenger’s starting 11, with no surprises in Marseille’s lineup.
There are no great surprises in either lineup, with Marseille leaving out veteran midfielder Souleymane Diawara. He was suffering with a thigh injury in the run-up to this game, and hasn’t been declared fit enough for either the bench or a starting spot. Instead, Alaixys Romao and Giannelli Imbula make up their holding pivot.
Marseille starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Steve Mandanda; Jérémy Morel, Lucas Mendes, Nicolas N'Koulou, Rod Fanni; Alaixys Romao, Giannelli Imbula; André Ayew, Mathieu Valbuena, Dimitri Payet; André-Pierre Gignac
Arsenal starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Wojciech Szczęsny; Kieran Gibbs, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, Bacary Sagna; Mathieu Flamini, Jack Wilshere; Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Özil, Theo Walcott; Olivier Giroud
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