Oct 20
Match Preview: Fenerbahçe v Arsenal (UEFA Champions League)
A trip to Turkey is always a tough challenge for Premier League sides used to the relative calm of English grounds. And for Arsenal’s young team this is set to be a growing-up experience as they face the fierce Fenerbahce crowd.
Arsene Wenger has already ruled out injured captain William Gallas and fellow centre back Kolo Toure, but in Theo Walcott he has English football’s golden and a player able to unlock any defence. Emre Belözoglu, Deivid de Souza and Gökhan Gönül all missed Saturday’s league win over Kocaelispor for Fenerbahce.
After that match boss Luis Aragones said:
“I’m not happy with my players’ performances in the first half. However, they managed to get back and do what we had asked them to do.”
The Gunners remain unable to call on the services of Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) and Eduardo da Silva (broken ankle) but Abou Diaby is set to reclaim a starting place after impressing during the 3-1 over Everton.
Luckless Fenerbahce could be without the talented Gokhan Gonul. They are likely to with start with Spain powerhouse Daniel Guiza up front on his own and Semih Senturk in a supporting role.
Predicted Arsenal Line-Up:
Almunia
Eboue – Song – Silvestre – Clichy
Walcott – Fabregas – Diaby – Nasri
Adebayor – van Persie
Match Prediction: Fenerbahçe 1-3 Arsenal
Catch all the post-match reaction and player ratings here on Gooner Talk seconds after the final whistle.
Leave your views and predictions of tomorrow nights game in the comments section below.
I think it will be a tough game but if we play good like against Porto i think we’ll win it.
Fenerbahçe 0-2 Arsenal
WILL NASRI BE PLAYING
Yes mate, he’s match fit.
THANKS CHRIS
I HOPING FOR WIN BUT IT WONT BE EASY
Chris do u think aaron ramsey will start coz i think denilson tired and hes looking out of sorts. And i hope van persie does not play on the left wing coz hes rubbish there much better up front. What do u think fo nasri performances so far? i think hes been solid but there is much more to come trust me this guy is amazing his skills are amazing
I think Wenger will go for a big physical presence in central midfield, hence the selection of Diaby. Ramsey will get his chance soon, I doubt he’ll play a major part against Fener, but we’ll see.
Goona be interesting to see who play CB and RB i would play song and djorou and eboue and play song in midfield
OH so Wenger says it will be the same back four that played the second half in a press conference and Almunia is our captain:
Almunia
eboue song silvestre clichy
? ? ? ?
? ?
Yeah. I’d personally like to see Djourou partner Silvestre as Song looked quite weak at against Everton.
Any news on transfers coz we definitely a CB and maybe a winger maybe ibrahim afellay he is definitely a brilliant player
Djourou –> Song
Denilson –> Diaby
Prediction: 0-2
Goals: Adebayor, Walcott
Arsenal are still too lightweight and will lose, men v boys time again.
Arsenal are to play the same team that ended the match v Everton.
Almunia (c)
Eboue – Song- Silvestre – Clichy
Walcott, Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri
Van Persie – Adebayor
Fenerbahce Likely Line-up (4-4-2)
Volkan Demirel,
Gökhan Gönül – Edu Dracena – Lugano – Roberto Carlos
Kaz?m-Richards – Selçuk ?ahin- Alex – U?ur Boral
Semih ?entürk – Dani Güiza
confirmed line up is:
almunia (C)
eboue,song,silvestre,clichy
theo,diaby,denilson,cesc,nasri
adebayor
ADEBAYOR ADEBAYOR
everytime we attack we look like scoring but as well everytime they go forward we look like conceding
Almunia is very good today.
woo 2-5 the last goal was nice
Asernal wenger he fear pressure from his boss that is why he buy this cheap play you can margin how can some sell framine and buy selvester and you pay the same amount if am not mistaken this time we are going to be in last five mugabi from Uganda i wish you success