Ligue 1 giants Marseille aim to get revenge on Arsenal for the Champions League defeat at Stade Velodrome two years ago, but that will be no easy task given that the Gunners are searching for their sixth successive victory.
Following what was a very difficult season under Didier Deschamps, OM managed to return to the right track last term, with new boss Elie Baup leading the team to a second-place finish in the league.
In an attempt to mount another serious title challenge, Marseille were very active in the summer transfer window, signing Lille star Dimitri Payet, while also adding some of France’s hottest prospects to their ranks, such as Florian Thauvin, Gianelli Imbula, Benjamin Mendy and Mario Lemina.
Meanwhile, all key men remained at Stade Velodrome, so no doubt everybody at the club has high ambitions this season.
Marseille indeed enjoyed a bright start to the league campaign, recording victories over Guingamp, Evian and Valenciennes, but home defeat to Monaco and 1-1 draw at Toulouse spoiled the good atmosphere at the club.
OM now plan to return to winning ways against Arsenal, but odds of 3.00 (2/1) offered at Stan James suggest they will not have an easy task.
Andre Ayew returns from a domestic suspension, but Souleyman Diawara is unlikely to feature despite resuming full training on Tuesday.
Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Mandanda – Fanni, N’Koulou, Mendes, Morel – Romao, Imbula – A. Ayew, Valbuena, Payet – Gignac.
Arsenal’s opening defeat to Aston Villa could prove to be a blessing in disguise as there is ever chance that the disappointing home loss persuaded Arsene Wenger that he does need that marque signing after all.
Even if the Gunners went on to win their next two Premier League games against local rivals Fulham and Tottenham, while also defeating Fenerbahce in the Champions League play-offs, Wenger ended up signing Mesut Ozil on transfer deadline day to the delight of all Arsenal fans.
The German midfielder quickly showed what a huge asset he will be for the club, creating no less than three clear-cut chances for his teammates within the first 20 minutes of the Sunderland game, helping the Gunners record their third straight victory in the league.
Having climbed to second in the Premier League, Arsenal now need to start their Champions League campaign with a bang, and they are 2.60 (8/5) at William Hill to see off Marseille at Stade Velodrome.
Arsene Wenger is not without problems ahead of the trip to France as the only fit striker Olivier Giroud has picked up a knee injury, and there is a chance he could be rested in this match.
Meanwhile, Per Mertesacker returns from illness, but Cazorla, Rosicky, Diaby, Arteta, Podolski, Chamberlain and Sanogo remain sidelined.
Probable starting line-up (4-4-1-1): Fabianski – Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs – Ramsey, Wilshire, Flamini, Monreal – Ozil – Walcott.
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