Injury-Hit Arsenal Still Favourites For Galatasaray Clash

Arsenal host Turkish side galatasaray tonight (1st October) hoping to record their first Champions League win of the season following a disheartening 2-0 defeat at the hands of Borussia Dortmund a fortnight ago. Two goals either side of half time were enough to see the Gunners propping up the Group D table. A low but firmly-hit strike from Ciro Immobile broke the deadlock before it was down to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to double the German side`s lead just three minutes after the half-time oranges. Meanwhile, Cesare Prandelli`s galatasaray got lucky when Burak Yilmaz`s final minute strike whistled its way past Anderlecht`s goalkeeper Davy Roef and straight into the top left corner cancelling out young Dennis Praet`s 52nd minute effort.

The Super Lig runners-up have made a solid start to their 2014/15 campaign currently sitting in fifth place with seven points from their first four games. For this they can thank the enigmatic 29-year-old Yilmaz, Chelsea`s 2013/14 transfer target who is the club`s top scorer in all competitions this season, both his two Super Lig goals decisive in sealing victories for the title hopefuls. The striker netted in the team`s opening 2-0 away dispatching of Bursaspor, breaking the deadlock before substitute Olcan Adin doubled the advantage in the final minutes. Yilmaz was also responsible for the second goal in Saturday`s 2-1 win at home to Sivasspor, meaning that the away side`s late fight back that culminated in Macauley Chrisantus` goal was nothing but a mere scare. Galatasaray`s talisman is 4/1 with boylesports and the betfair exchange to hit the back of the net at the Emirates at any time.

Arsenal will be hoping to inject their league form into tonight`s Champions League tie. The Gunners have made a respectable start to their Premier League campaign accumulating ten points from an available eighteen, seeing them sit fourth in the table and six points off leaders Chelsea. Their defeat against Dortmund, however, preceded another cup defeat, this time at the hands of Southampton in the Capital One Cup. A disappointing 2-1 loss an all too early exit in what many fans considered to be a winnable tournament.

In spite of this, Arsene Wenger`s men have been installed as the 4/7 (Numerous) favourites for their second Champions League fixture, with most bookmakers offering odds of 10/3 on a draw. Both 32red and Matchbook have the best price for Cimbom coming up trumps with 28/5 on an away win.

Wenger will go into the match with something of a selection-induced headache with five midfielders unavailable after picking up injuries. Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey are absentees with respective calf and hamstring problems that will see them sit out of the league match-up with title pace-setters Chelsea at the weekend. Both players suffered the knocks in Saturday`s North London derby draw.

The Gunners will also be without Frenchman Abou Diaby who is to be given time to reach full fitness ahead of the Chelsea clash. Diaby played the first 70 minutes of the Capital One Cup game against Southampton, his first appearance for the club since being sidelined with a thigh problem back in May. Wenger will be forgiven for allowing the 28-year-old time to recuperate, Diaby having picked up nearly forty injuries in his eight year stint with the Emirates outfit. Arteta, Diaby and Ramsey will all join Serge Gnabry and Theo Walcott (both knee) on the sidelines, the latter two likely to return at the beginning of November.

Arsenal, runners-up in the competition in the 2005-06 season, will be able to call upon Jack Wilshere after he overcame a knock again sustained against Spurs. The England man is 5/1 (Numerous) to score at anytime, though will surely be expected to provide for frontmen Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck, 10/7 (888sport) and 6/4 (Spreadex) respectively.

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01/10/2014     © Frixo 2026