Galatasaray vs. Arsenal: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
Arsenal still have an outside chance of topping their Champions League group, and the Gunners will be hoping to put pressure on leaders Borussia Dortmund with a strong performance against Turkish giants Galatasaray.
Arsene Wenger’s team confirmed their safe passage into the next round of this competition with a 2-0 win over the German outfit, but that excellent performance seems a long way off after domestic turbulence has stirred a flurry of negative hyperbole at the Emirates. With that in mind, a visit to the notorious Turk Telekom Arena is the last thing Arsenal need.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Galatasaray have picked up a measly one point from their European campaign so far and will be desperate to finish their campaign on a high in front of their fervent supporters. Here’s all the information you need on where to catch this clash and a look at both teams ahead of what should be an intriguing final match.
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 9
Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT, 2:45 p.m. ET
Live Stream: Sky Go App (UK), Fox Sports Go (US)
TV Info: Sky Sports (UK), Fox Sports 1 (US)
Gunners Look To Bounce Back From Stoke Horror Show
Turkish champions Galatasaray are typically a team that fare well in European competition, but this season they’ve been unable to settle into any kind of groove. Usually the stellar atmosphere at the Turk Telekom Arena yields points aplenty and a foundation for a solid campaign but one point from their two home games with Dortmund and Anderlecht has curtailed their qualification hopes, as has their three defeats on the road.
Their European exploits have also been hampered by supporters tossing flares onto the pitch at various games. Galatasaray have subsequently been fined €70,000 by UEFA on the back of this crowd trouble, per Peter Hanson of Goal.com.
Wenger has reportedly already named the following starting XI for Tuesday night, per Ben Nagle of the Mail Online:
"Arsenal's team to face Galatasaray (4-3-3): Szczesny; Debuchy, Mertesacker, Chambers, Bellerin; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Flamini, Ramsey; Campbell, Sanogo, Podolski.
"
An abject opening 45 minutes saw Arsenal go in 3-0 down to the Potters at half time, and while they recovered to make the final score 3-2, it was a performance that was endemic of the perennial concerns when it comes to this team.
The supporters are clearly not happy either, as we can see here courtesy of Bleacher Report UK (The following contains audible profanities. The default setting is mute—do not turn the audio on if you would prefer not to hear them):
While Wenger will profess he still thinks his team can finish top of the pile, with Dortmund set to host Anderlecht in their final group game, the chances look pretty unlikely. It'll be little surprise to see the Arsenal boss rest a few key players, having already confirmed that central defender Laurent Koscielny is unlikely to make the trip:
Alexis Sanchez is another to be rested, after Wenger recently admitted he is in need of a break. “He is in the red zone,” the Frenchman claimed, per Liam Twomey of Goal.com. "You can see that when he plays but he can dig deep. I will have to give him a week's break at some stage.”
In truth, if any Arsenal player deserves a rest, it’s the Chilean. He’s turned in some scintillating displays this season, showcasing a remarkable intensity while his teammates seem to ponder through games. With crucial clashes set to come thick and fast over a convoluted festive period, this trip to Turkey is the ideal opportunity to give Sanchez a chance to recuperate.
Without the Chilean, it’s difficult to see this Arsenal team winning in Turkey, even against a Galatasaray team that has struggled so much in European competition. The Gunners won the previous meeting between the sides 4-1 thanks to a Danny Welbeck hat-trick, but away from home they are completely different and a far less fearful proposition.
With that in mind, and with neither side likely to have any real incentive to win the game, a low scoring draw looks the most likely outcome here.
Prediction: Galatasaray 1-1 Arsenal
