Assessing Arsenal's UEFA Champions League Opponents

Arsenal received a tough draw for their UEFA Champions League playoff when they were pitted against Turkish giants Fenerbahce SK. With the always difficult trip to Turkey looming large, the Gunners will be wary of some familiar faces.

These include an ex-Liverpool forward with a nasty habit of scoring critical goals to dash Arsenal's hopes of glory. There is also a former Chelsea midfield maestro to contend with, as well as a winger once coveted by Europe's best.

However, the biggest threat could come from a one-time transfer target who now leads the Fenerbahce forward line.

Moussa Sow Will Be Tough to Contain

When Lille shocked many by capturing the French double in 2010/11, the likes of former Gunner Gervinho and current Chelsea ace Eden Hazard stole the headlines. But it was Senegal striker Moussa Sow who really powered Rudi Garcia's team to victory.

Sow netted 25 times in Ligue 1 that season, and as reported by Tom Hopkinson of Mirror Football, he briefly attracted interest from Arsenal. But he would eventually move to Turkey in January 2012.

Sow has continued his prolific form, scoring an impressive 22 goals since joining Fenerbahce. His blend of strength and pace could be a major problem for Arsenal's central defensive pairing of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.

Koscielny's obvious weakness is his lack of physical authority. This is a problem that was recently exposed by Alvaro Negredo during Arsenal's 3-1 win over Manchester City. As for Mertesacker, his lack of agility and problems turning to cope with speed are well known.

To contain Sow, Mertesacker and Koscielny must stick to their usual complementary game. They rotate their positions very well and know how to cover for one another. In essence, Mertesacker's savvy will need to be combined with Koscielny's technical acumen to keep Sow quiet.

Be Wary of Old Foes

As much as Arsenal must be on guard for Sow's efforts, they should be equally wary of old foes. One familiar face who always seems to cause a problem is the industrious attacker Dirk Kuyt.

The relentless Dutchman has wounded Arsenal deeply on more than one occasion. It is still tough to grin and bear the memory of Kuyt's highway robbery in Arsenal's 2007/08 Champions League quarterfinal clash with Liverpool.

During the first leg at the Emirates, Kuyt somehow managed to escape conceding a penalty, despite pulling down Aleksandr Hleb by the arm in full view of the referee.

To compound matters, Kuyt also helped himself to a vital equaliser in a frustrating 1-1 draw. Kuyt would haunt Arsenal again, late in the 2010/11 season.

He scored another devastating equaliser, this one a penalty at the end of an extra time period that seemed to last longer than regulation time. That consigned Arsenal to another 1-1 home draw with Liverpool and ended their title hopes.

Kuyt certainly has the knack for upsetting the Gunners, but he is not the only ex-English Premier League member they should be wary of. Former Chelsea man Raul Meireles could be a key figure in midfield.

He can match Aaron Ramsey for running and has more of an eye for goal than either Jack Wilshere or Tomas Rosicky.

Milos Krasic Cannot be Ignored

Milos Krasic's career may have stalled slightly, but the mercurial winger could still damage Arsenal. Krasic rose to prominence as a star for CSKA Moscow, but a big move to Juventus did not go as planned.

The 28-year-old Serbian international is attempting to revive his fortunes in Turkey. He provides true width, and at his best, he can stretch any defence.

Arsenal may not fear Krasic's pace, thanks to speedy full-back duo Kieran Gibbs and Bacary Sagna. But the veteran wide man is still a tricky customer who will be the most obvious supply line to Sow.

While Fenerbahce offer plenty of attacking threat, Arsenal can pose some forward menace of their own.

With Santi Cazorla's ingenuity and Theo Walcott's pace, the Gunners should be able to expose a back line that features hapless duo Bruno Alves and Michal Kadlec.

Manager Arsene Wenger will also need Wilshere to win his duel with fellow midfield prodigy Salih Ucan. The Turkey U-20 international has garnered interest from Manchester United, according to Turkish-football.com.

If Wilshere can help Arsenal stretch the Fenerbahce back four, the Gunners should leave Turkey with at least one priceless away goal.