Arsenal have made a pretty lacklustre start to the season, winning just twice in their first eight Premier League matches. However, they are currently occupying second place in their Champions League group, three points behind Borussia Dortmund and two clear of Galatasaray and their opponents on Wednesday, Anderlecht. For all of their domestic struggles, the Gunners really ought to be able to win this match.
Anderlecht vs. Arsenal, 2014 UEFA Champions League: Team news and game preview
Arsenal have had an underwhelming start to the season, but they’re unlikely to have too much of a problem beating Anderlecht on Wednesday.
Clive Rose
Anderlecht have made a good start to their domestic season, and they sit top of the Belgian top flight after 11 games of the season. However, it’s certainly not the most competitive of divisions in Europe, and they have managed only a single point from their first couple of Champions League group games. Anything other than a defeat would be an impressive achievement for Besnik Hasi’s side.
Key player - Emiliano Martínez (Arsenal)
The last time young Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez turned out for Arsenal, he conceded five goals in a chaotic 7-5 League Cup victory over Reading. Almost two years on, the Gunners will be hoping Martínez will be rather more confident between the sticks, as they'll be without suspended first-choice shot-stopper Wojciech Szczęsny and injured second choice David Ospina.
Key matchup - Alexis Sánchez vs. Olivier Deschacht
Arsenal haven’t been great so far this season, but summer signing Alexis Sánchez has probably been their star player. The Chilean will probably start this match out on the right flank, where he’ll be up against Anderlecht’s long-serving left-back Olivier Deschacht. If the former Belgian international can keep Sánchez quiet, Anderlecht may just stand a chance.
Anderlecht injuries and suspensions
Out: Fabrice N’Sakala (knee). In doubt: Anthony Vanden Borre (calf).
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Wojciech Szczęsny (suspended), David Ospina (thigh), Mesut Özil (knee), Laurent Koscielny (achilles), Mathieu Debuchy (ankle), Olivier Giroud (broken tibia). In doubt: Tomáš Rosický (calf), Theo Walcott, Serge Gnabry (knee).
Anderlecht will be without young defender Fabrice N'Sakala, while experienced winger Anthony Vanden Borre is unlikely to recover from a calf problem in time to play. However, the Belgian side's injury problems are nowhere near as serious as Arsenal's, with the Gunners set to miss a host of important first-teamers.
Match Date/Time: Wednesday, 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Brussels, Belgium
TV: Fox Sports 2 USA, Fox Soccer Plus, Directv (U.S.), Sportsnet One (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.), Belgacom 11+, 2BE, Club RTL (Belgium)
Online: Fox Soccer 2Go, Fox Sports Go, ESPN3 Online-App (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Sky Go (U.K.), RTBF LiveCenter (Belgium)
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