The Champions League Group Stage – Matchday 3 – Anderlecht vs Arsenal
Anderlecht: Proto, Vanden Borre, Mbemba, Deschacht, Najar, Tielemans, Defou, Acheampong, Praet, Conte, Cyria
Substitutes: Suárez, Colin, Kljestan, Dendoncker, Roef, Kabasele, Mitrovic
Arsenal: Martinez, Chambers, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs, Flamini, Sanchez, Wilshere, Ramsey, Cazorla, Welbeck
Substitutes: Huddart, Bellerin, Rosicky, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski, Campbell
Everyone loves to pick on Arsenal. Despite qualifying for The Champions League every year there is a feeling that Arsenal are almost there to make up the numbers. They certainly aren’t European minnows. But no elite team minds drawing them in the latter stages of the competition. In fact it can be seen a relief to get Arsenal because they don’t have the grit to go with the guile.
A defeat to Dortmund wasn’t a disaster and they recovered in round two to beat Galatasaray convincingly. But you would expect a win against Anderlecht to once more leave the club in a good position to qualify. Anything less than three points and Arsenal will be leaving the door open for others in the group.
We fully expect Arsenal to show their class and come through this one. But Manchester City’s draw in Moscow on Tuesday proves once again that there are no easy games in Europe.
