Gunners Praying For A Miracle

Galatasary vs Arsenal Match Preview - Champions League Group Stage - 9.12.14

For the 15th season in succession Arsenal has qualified for the second stage of the Champions League and knockout round for the 11th consecutive season. They didn't make it easy on themselves but an assured performance on matchday five gave them a 2-0 victory over group leaders Borussia Dortmund.

Arsenal travel to Istanbul on Wednesday evening to take on already eliminated Galatasaray, with faint hopes for the top spot in the group. Arsenal need a miracle to happen to overhaul Dortmund - they must take all three points and hope Anderlecht, who have nothing to play for, take all three points in their game against Dortmund. A draw for Dortmund would leave Arsenal requiring a 6 goal win to claw back the goal difference.

The group is pretty much over and none of the teams truly have anything to play for including Arsenal. Arsenal's only hopes lie with Dortmund not bothering to turn up on the night with their minds on their terrible league form and Anderlecht springing a lucky surprise. However, before relying on other results Arsenal must first win their game which they need to do and should do for a number of reasons.

The Gunners need the win for confidence after the awful performance against Stoke, the fringe players will want to stake a claim for more game time and after a poor start to the season the Gunners will be hoping for any positive news they can get their hands on - not drawing a top team in the next stage would be a welcome tonic at the moment.

Selcuk Inan is suspended and Blerim Dzemaili has a hamstring issue but other than that Galatasaray have a full team to choose from and despite having nothing to play for but pride you would have to assume they'll be at full strength attempting to avoid an embarrassing defeat at home.

FACTFILE

• Arsenal have still never lost to a Turkish side in any competition. 
• Arsenal have still only conceded 3 goals in 10 games against Turkish sides

INJURIES

Koscielny, Arteta, Wilshere and Gibbs will miss this match

STARTING XI (4-2-3-1)

Szczesny, Debuchy, Chambers, Mertesacker, Bellerin, Ramsey, Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Campbell, Sanogo, Podolski

GOONERSPHERE'S PREDICTION

Galatasary 0 - 3 Arsenal

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