After the chastening defeat against the best team in their group Arsenal’s need for a victory is great. The game against Tottenham at the weekend saw a good performance but Spurs are the sort of side that Arsenal should be consistently beating at home if they want to win titles.
Indeed Arsene Wenger’s side seem permanently to exist one game, or even one goal, from a crisis. And the game against Galatasaray will provide another stern test. The Turks aren’t the best travellers but have good Champions League experience and will certainly not fear their opponents.
With Arsenal’s injury problems mounting they need the confidence that a good result will bring and we expect them to get it on Wednesday, despite the obstacles.
The list of injured now includes Walcott, Debuchy, Giroud, Ramsey, Arteta and possibly Jack Wilshere. The fact that the latter managed to carry on after his knock against Spurs means that he could get a start. Otherwise Wenger may even look to the recently returned yet really ring-rusty About Diaby.
Still, Arsenal should be able to put out a side to squeeze past their visitors. We are going for a 2-0 with the ever more impressive Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain having another good night. Here’s our strongest XI, fitness permitting.
