In a mirror of a couple of weeks ago, Arsenal find themselves hoping to bounce back from an abject Premier League defeat with a result against a strong Schalke side. The only difference being that Arsenal have to factor in a trip to Germany this time as well.
Looking for revenge
In the return fixture a fortnight back, the Gunners fell to a 2-0 home defeat, with Andre Santos giving Schalke a scent of blood down the right flank. It's unknown whether he'll start again tomorrow, but surely something will be done to prevent Jefferson Farfan having free reign.
It's worth noting that last time Arsenal lost to a foreign team at home in the CL, they won the away leg 5-1... Hey, what's football without hope!
Arsene Wenger has already spoken about wanting to turn things around tomorrow, and you'd really think they need to do that soon, before this turns into another 08/09 season.
Team news
Kieran Gibbs and Szcezny trained yesterday but didn't travel, while Ramsey is out. Jack Wilshere is a confirmed starter, while the wings are up for debate. Theo Walcott could come in from the cold, while the out of form Lukas Podolski may be dropped for Arshavin or even Serge Gnabry. He may also stay.
Other than that the team will likely line up the same as against United (for better or for worse).
Schalke have no fresh worries, though Papadopolous is again doubtful.
Key players/Tactics
To avoid defeat, Arsenal need to remember they're a good team. They seem to have forgotten that, as have a lot of fans. Thomas Vermaelen needs to pull his finger out, and Santi Cazorla needs to start sparkling again.
Most importantly, Olivier Giroud needs service. When he got it against Reading, he was the white Drogba. Against United he got none and was isolated. Once we work out how to use the actually very decent striker we have in Giroud we'll be a lot better. Whether that happens is another question.
A new dawn? Or further into the mire?
Arsenal aren't in crisis right now, nor will they be if they lost their next 5 games. People like to make a fuss, but there's no question they need to start winning, and fast. Form is essential, especially with a run of easy-ish games coming up. Any kind of result will hopefully make CL qualification a lot simpler, and will set us up well for the always tricky Fulham game on Saturday.
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You are spot on, WTF Wenger keeps playing keeps playing the same system is a mystery, Wenger need to change his tactics as we have been found out and other teams know how to stop us playing. I am not a big fan of Walnut BUT WTF is he not starting? he is keeping Gimps like Santo in the team ? and you are right Olivier Giroud does need service we are not using him to his strengths. WEnger seems to have his head up his ass lately, he needs to get a grip, his stubbornness will be our undoing. IF they turn up we have a good chance of wining this game.
Wenger needs to find the winning line up and winning formation. He keeps trying same thing over and over and expects a different result. Teams now know how to tame Arsenal, "let them do all the passing in the mid field, and just sit tight at the back" and it appears to be working.
Supporters will demand that minority shareholder Alisher Usmanov be given a seat on the board and a change Arsenal’s ticketing policy which sees them offer the most expensive season ticket in the country at £1,955.
Other issues to be raised include player wages and contracts, while they are also set to demand to know who decides which players are brought into the club.
“We’ve been sold the future for five years now, that tomorrow we’ll arrive at the promised land,” group spokesperson Marc Harold told The London Evening Standard.
“We aren’t labelling it as a protest march, although we are demanding changes at boardroom level. The board has lost focus, is complacent and insular, feeling all is rosy at Arsenal when it most certainly isn’t.
“We have done this before [in May 2011] and the turnout was a few hundred. I’d safely say that number will be quite a bit bigger this time.”
A tense club AGM was held last month that saw manager Arsene Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis grilled on the club's matchday pricing and lack of success on the pitch.