Marseille - Arsenal
Skipper Van Persie's form could see Marseille concede their first goal in Europe this season. Reuters

Arsenal travel to the Stade Velodrome to face Marseille in their Group F Uefa Champions League match.

The English side come to this game on the back of a nervy 2-1 win against Sunderland, during the weekend. However, the win lifted them to the top half of the table, into the 10 spot, for the first time this season. It could prove valuable confidence to Arsene Wenger's side, who are slowly picking themselves up from their early season troubles.

However, the Gunners have had a fairly decent time in Europe this season, having come through tough qualifying matches against Udinese before beating Olympiakos and drawing at Borrussia Dortmund.

In the pre-match conference, Wenger admitted that his side fares better in Europe as they play with freedom due to the reduced pressure.

We play with a bit more freedom away from home in Europe and there is a bit less pressure,'' he said.But in Udinese we also played with massive pressure because that was the game of the season for us. Not to win that game would have been a disaster.

You can see since then that it was a good game (to win) because Udinese are top of the League in Italy and at the time I could feel they were a very good side.''

However, if Arsenal are going through a bad patch then what should be made of Marseille who are in 15 position in Ligue 1, after a miserable run of just one win in ten games. Although they won their last outing in Europe, 3-0 against Dortmund, the German side dominated the game and if it wasn't for Marseille keeper Mandanda, Dortmund may well have taken the win.

Arsenal could be without almost seven players for the game, but Marseille coach Didier Deschamps knows better than to take heart from Arsenal slow start.

They are a team who have lost key players but they remain competitive,'' Deschamps said.They have attacking players who can pose a problem to any team.

We have an advantage over them and it is simple: the two points more than them that we have gleaned. After Wednesday evening we will see things more clearly. If we win, we won't be through but we will have made a great step forward.

The main objective is to get out of the group. After that it is to consolidate our first place.''

Team News

Arsenal are without defenders Thomas Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna and midfielders Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere. Johan Djourou, Keiran Gibbs and Aaron Ramsey are all doubtful.

Marseille will be without the injured duo of Stephane Mbia and Djimi Traore while Jordan Ayew is suspended.

Prediction

It will be a tightly contested encounter, but expect Arsenal to continue their revival and grab a 2-1 win.