Arsenal: Champions League Group Stage Preview

Arsenal, pitted against AZ Alkmaar, Olympiakos, and Standard Liege in Group H, look like they are going to have an easy walk to the knockout phase. Especially after their great start in the Premier League with two emphatic wins and one honorable loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford. 

The departures of Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor have not seemed to have made a big impact on the team. In fact, it looks like a good move as William Gallas, now with no fights with Kolo Toure to worry about, is in great form and young Thomas Vermaelen looks already like he has been playing in the Premier League for a whole season.

Adebayor's goals may still be missed, but with attacking players such as Van Persie, Eduardo, Bendtner, Vela, Walcott, Rosicky, Nasri, Arshavin, etc, his absence may be better for a good changing room atmosphere. 

Below is Arsenal's verdict against their other Group H opponents.

AZ Alkmaar

AZ and Olympiakos may be the teams to provide Arsenal with a hard time, but will have to work extremely hard for that. AZ have lost arguably the most important part of the team, coach Louis Van Gaal, now at Bayern Munich.

However, they are still doing well in Eredivisie, with four wins and one loss from the first five matches. They also have a good coach in Ronald Koeman, who can make the team perform competitively, even if not as well as Van Gaal.

They look like good contenders, maybe for the Europa League, but not Champions League. The most they may go is as Runners-Up in Group H.

Threat To Arsenal 

The only possible threat maybe be Alkmaar striker Mounir El Hamdaoui. The Moroccan has been in good form since arriving in Alkmaar and has continued his good form this season too, netting five goals in five games. 

Arsenal's Strength

Arsenal's attack has been on point. Even though Gallas and Vermaelen have scored goals, Arsenal still look like a team with great attacking strength. Andrei Arshavin will be available this season and the early form of Fabregas looks like this may be his season to lift some silverware. Also, Gallas looks like the player from his Chelsea days. His form and guidance will really help Arsenal's season. 

Olympiakos

In domestic competition Olympiakos has won one game out of one, so it is too hard to predict how well Olympiakos will do. However Olympiakos have not had a busy transfer market, except for the arrival of Olof Mellberg, who may add much experience but is not a person who can change Olympiakos' Champions League journey single handed. 

Olympiakos can challenge Alkmaar for a lucrative offer in the Round of 16, else content with Europa League football.

Threat to Arsenal

With the arrival of Mellberg, there is an addition of a good amount of experience in an otherwise experience lacking squad. Also, the potential of Olympiakos seen from last season, could see them being more ambitious and hungry for the extra money offered by the knockout stages.

Arsenal's Strength

Often criticized for their lack of experience, Arsenal look like they have matured now. Also, the lack of experience in Olympiakos' squad along with their lack of quality (compared to Arsenal) will definitely help Arsenal pip the two-legged tie. 

Standard Liege

Standard have not had the best start in the league with just one win from five games. However, they have not lost a single game and the lure of a Europa Cup spot can spur them to play and fight well. However, I do not see how Standard Leige can be a threat to Arsenal's quest of being winners of the group.

Threat to Arsenal

The problem is not Standard Liege's strength, but Arsenal's "weakness". Arsenal face Standard away on the last third and last match-day and if Arsene Wenger chooses to play Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and other young players, Arsenal may loose some vital points, and of there is an in-form team, Arsenal could just come runners-up like they have before. 

Arsenal's Strength

Arsenal have a more complete and competent squad than Standard, and with their current form, Arsenal do not look like Standard will trouble them too much.