Arsenal will be looking to confirm their Champions League credentials on Wednesday when they travel to Belgium to face Anderlecht. The Gunners started the campaign with a disappointing 2-0 loss at Borussia Dortmund but then recovered with an impressive 4-1 win against Galatasaray. That win came at a price though, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was sent off so he will be suspended for the trip to Belgium. Summer signing David Ospina is injured so rookie Emiliano Martinez will have to start between the sticks.
Aaron Ramsey is back to full fitness and could be giving a starting place while Theo Walcott could make the substitutes list after recovering from the horrendous injury that kept him out since January. Laurent Koscielny could miss out but Arsene Wenger can count on Calum Chambers again.
Anderlecht will be without French midfielder Fabrice N'Sakala due to a knee injury but defender Anthony Vanden Borre could make his return after having torn his calf muscle at the World Cup. The Gunners won on two of the previous three visits to Belgium, the last defeat was back in 1981 at the hands of Winterslag. Anderlecht have only managed to win six of the 28 meetings with English sides.
Probable starting line-ups:
Anderlecht: Proto - Vanden Borre, Mbemba, Heylen, Deschacht - Defour, Tielemans - Najar, Praet, Suarez - Mitrovic
Arsenal: Martinez - Monreal, Mertesacker, Chambers, Gibbs - Flamini, Ramsey, Wilshere - Sanchez, Cazorla - Welbeck
My prediction: Arsenal to win 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Anderlecht win - 15/4 Draw - 14/5 Arsenal win - 4/5
sebeksk 9 years ago
Even although the Arsenal was a big favorite, and scored three goals in the first half, they got away with only one point. Anderlecht showed very good play in second half and they deserved that point. Aleksandar MItrovic has showed that he is going to be one of the best strikers in Europe.
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mico.femic.1 9 years ago
I read comment about Mitrovic, I am from Serbia and nice to see that some from GB and USA talk about Serbian team's and players. Mitrovic with Lazar Markovic is our the greatest potencial for future, and both of them was from Partizan Belgrade football school. I must to motioned the greatest football club in Serbi, that...
I read comment about Mitrovic, I am from Serbia and nice to see that some from GB and USA talk about Serbian team's and players. Mitrovic with Lazar Markovic is our the greatest potencial for future, and both of them was from Partizan Belgrade football school. I must to motioned the greatest football club in Serbi, that is Red Star (Crvena Zvezda), club with European Champions Cup, and International Cup.
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milanChoka 9 years ago
Mitrovic is a world class striker. I really can't explain reasons for him absence from the first eleven. Maybe like some of you say he have problems with coach. How ever, he will play in first eleven in next matches. One suggestion for Bernard, buy Mitrovic sold Balotelli :)
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Milaneli 9 years ago
Nice prediction heh :) I didn't listed to you, played draw, I guess I was wrong. I think Anderlecht really needs Mitrovic in their attacking lineup. I know, he is a 'bad' guy, but he is such a talented footballer that is insane. Anderlecht is whole different team with him, but he has some troubles with coach so he doesn't...
Nice prediction heh :) I didn't listed to you, played draw, I guess I was wrong. I think Anderlecht really needs Mitrovic in their attacking lineup. I know, he is a 'bad' guy, but he is such a talented footballer that is insane. Anderlecht is whole different team with him, but he has some troubles with coach so he doesn't play..
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milanChoka 9 years ago
Very well come back for Arsenal. I was surprised when was Anderlecht score goal because i expected very easy win of Arsenal. I was watched match, after first goal Anderlecht had very good chance to lead with two goal differences. How ever Arsenal was better in match and they deserved win.
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
@explosio4 Yeah,it was a bad decision to leave player like Mitrovic on bench,I'm sure coach Hasi has some regrets about that decision.He could be useful especially in situation when Anderlecht had a lead,his power and aerial ability would save a lot of balls for Anderlecht.But,this is just motivation for him to work harder...
@explosio4 Yeah,it was a bad decision to leave player like Mitrovic on bench,I'm sure coach Hasi has some regrets about that decision.He could be useful especially in situation when Anderlecht had a lead,his power and aerial ability would save a lot of balls for Anderlecht.But,this is just motivation for him to work harder to be better in the rest of the season.
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
It was really interesting match.Surprisigly,Anderlecht had a lead and a pretty big chance to win this match.But ,in last minutes of the game,the Gunners showed to Belgians why are they such a big club.They keep fighting untill it is all over.They totally deserved this win.This win will boost their morale.
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explosio4 9 years ago
I am agree with you about Mitrovic. Coach Hasi was supposed to bring him to the game. He was able to give them depth in the game,and when Arsenal pressed them, to jump and save almost all long ball sent from Anderlecht defence. Arsenal was lucky last night, and they did not deserve to win.
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John Andrew 9 years ago
I'm little disappointed with Anderlecht's coach about Mitrovic. He definitely deserve first team status, but he didn't play one minute on this match... Great come back for Arsenal, win like that could help them to raise their form for next matches in Premier league.
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kkole 9 years ago
That was great match. I must say that Arsenal deserve that win. Arsenal is club for knockout round and I think that is unquestionable are they gonna be in first two place. also I must say that I follow prediction here by johnny and I must congratulation on another great prediction of correct score well done man.
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milanChoka 9 years ago
I think will Arsenal beat Anderlecht very easy. Arsenal play good football, they have good tim. New players Welbeck and Sanchez are good. Especially Welbeck, and if he plays like in match with Galatasaray, he will give more than three goals. I'm especially glad that Aaron Ramsey returns to team because he is important player...
I think will Arsenal beat Anderlecht very easy. Arsenal play good football, they have good tim. New players Welbeck and Sanchez are good. Especially Welbeck, and if he plays like in match with Galatasaray, he will give more than three goals. I'm especially glad that Aaron Ramsey returns to team because he is important player for Arsenal.
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John Andrew 9 years ago
I agree with everyone, this match will be with a lot of goals. Arsenal, as always, have too much injury players. Great from them is Ramsey's come back. Anderlecht is a good side, but in this match they are absolutely outsiders. I predict easy win for Arsenal, with more than two goals to score. That is a good chance for...
I agree with everyone, this match will be with a lot of goals. Arsenal, as always, have too much injury players. Great from them is Ramsey's come back. Anderlecht is a good side, but in this match they are absolutely outsiders. I predict easy win for Arsenal, with more than two goals to score. That is a good chance for Wellbeck to do some good for this team.
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madzgos 9 years ago
I read comment about Mitrovic, I am from Serbia and nice to see that some from GB and USA talk about Serbian team's and players. Mitrovic with Lazar Markovic is our the greatest potencial for future, and both of them was from Partizan Belgrade football school. I must to motioned the greatest football club in Serbi, that...
I read comment about Mitrovic, I am from Serbia and nice to see that some from GB and USA talk about Serbian team's and players. Mitrovic with Lazar Markovic is our the greatest potencial for future, and both of them was from Partizan Belgrade football school. I must to motioned the greatest football club in Serbi, that is Red Star (Crvena Zvezda), club with European Champions Cup, and International Cup.
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explosio4 9 years ago
I heard the same about him. He has problems with self-control and therefore gets a lot of red cards. In Serbia he has nickname 'Serbian Balotelli' , and that explains all about him. I hope that he will not have career like true Balotelli, that was best in teens days.
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
@explosio4 But we should get back to talking about match instead of talking about Mitrovic.Beside him,other dangerous player in Anderlecht are Suarez and Defour...and they all will have to play fantastic,if they wanna beat Arsenal tonight.Their manager Hasi is experienced coach,but he is nowehere near Wenger's quality.
@explosio4 But we should get back to talking about match instead of talking about Mitrovic.Beside him,other dangerous player in Anderlecht are Suarez and Defour...and they all will have to play fantastic,if they wanna beat Arsenal tonight.Their manager Hasi is experienced coach,but he is nowehere near Wenger's quality.
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
@explosio4 The problem could be his price,he ain't no such a cheep player.An offer of at least 15 millions GBP will have to be given to Anderlecht to make them to think about selling their best player.Only problem with Mitrovic is the fact that he is still young and still hasn't started to act like a real proffesional.There...
@explosio4 The problem could be his price,he ain't no such a cheep player.An offer of at least 15 millions GBP will have to be given to Anderlecht to make them to think about selling their best player.Only problem with Mitrovic is the fact that he is still young and still hasn't started to act like a real proffesional.There are rumours in Belgium that he is overweight at the moment.
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explosio4 9 years ago
Yeah, i know that team. It's Partizan Belgrade. They are maybe small team in european proportion, but they are doing great job with young players. They gave him a chance at 18 years old and he very soon became starter in Serbian national team. I know that Mourinho appreciate his quality, and Wenger should pay attention...
Yeah, i know that team. It's Partizan Belgrade. They are maybe small team in european proportion, but they are doing great job with young players. They gave him a chance at 18 years old and he very soon became starter in Serbian national team. I know that Mourinho appreciate his quality, and Wenger should pay attention to him.
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
Yeah ,I followed him earlier ,when he played for some small team from Belgrade.I know that players from Serbian league shouldn't be considered as top quality players if they show some class in Serbian league,because of opponents which are not good teams,but this boy even when he was just a kid showed that he can become...
Yeah ,I followed him earlier ,when he played for some small team from Belgrade.I know that players from Serbian league shouldn't be considered as top quality players if they show some class in Serbian league,because of opponents which are not good teams,but this boy even when he was just a kid showed that he can become top class goalscorer.
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explosio4 9 years ago
Daniel i agree with you. I watched a couple of times Anderlecht and Mitrovic is their key player. He is strong in air and every long ball is threat for Arsenal, so they have to be very careful with him. If he improve speed and approach to training we'll be watching him soon in the strongest clubs in the Champions league.
Daniel i agree with you. I watched a couple of times Anderlecht and Mitrovic is their key player. He is strong in air and every long ball is threat for Arsenal, so they have to be very careful with him. If he improve speed and approach to training we'll be watching him soon in the strongest clubs in the Champions league.
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
@Madzgos ,Arsenal did play bad in last match,but this is Champions League and they will be more motivated and they really have to win tonight,otherwise their chances to get through to the knockout stage will be very small.Jupiler league isn't anywhere near Premier league,so you can not use the fact that Anderlecht is playing...
@Madzgos ,Arsenal did play bad in last match,but this is Champions League and they will be more motivated and they really have to win tonight,otherwise their chances to get through to the knockout stage will be very small.Jupiler league isn't anywhere near Premier league,so you can not use the fact that Anderlecht is playing good in domestic championship as a important parameter for matches in Champions League...
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