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Mbappé's Rollercoaster Season 🎢

Predicting Arsenal's Starting 11 For The Champions League Match With FK Partizan

Callum D'SouzaDec 7, 2010

Group H

1FC Shakhtar Donetsk Shakhtar Donetsk5401106412
2Arsenal FC Arsenal530215699
3SC Braga Sporting Braga530259-49
4FK Partizan FK Partizan Belgrade5005110-90

It's do or die for Arsenal in the last round of the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.

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The Gunners cannot afford nothing but supreme as they encounter Serbian kings FK Partizan Belgrade in a bid to secure a place in the last 16 of Europe's most prestigous competition.

Due to successive Champions League defeats at the hands of Shakhtar Donetsk and Sporting Braga, Arsene Wenger's men were dethroned at the top of group H having dominated for the opening three rounds.

The losses have ensured Arsenal sit second with nine points, only just ahead of Braga due to goal difference. Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk are first with twelve points and have all but secured their place in the next round. Belgrade are last with no points.

However, the Steamrollers are not to be taken lightly and if Arsenal continue their dismal home record this season and Portuguese giants SC Braga defeat or draw with Shakhtar at the Ukraine champions stadium, then Arsenal will be eliminated from the Champions League.

But the North London giants have returned to form, with successive league wins and a Carling Cup victory in little over a week. Furthermore, Wenger would have implemented the severity that Arsenal need to succeed or face immense humiliation.

The Gunners will be boosted by home ground advantage and Belgrade's poor European record this season will only boost Wenger's sides confidence.

Nonetheless, let's establish the Arsenal starting XI.

Goalkeeper

Predominant first choice keeper Manuel Almunia is officially fully fit after missing two months of first team football with a persistent elbow injury. However, it is highly unlikely the Spaniard will receive any real playing time in the coming weeks due to the form of Polish shot stopper Lukasz Fabianski.

Fabianski has been superb in Almunia's absence and is now seen as the dominant keeper.

The Polish international is certain to start with boom youngster Wojciech Szczensy deputizing.

Defenders

Arsenal were hit with a massive blow when the news that defensive leader Thomas Vermaelen, who has been absent from the first team since August with a persistent Achilles injury, will not return until after the new year.

The Belgium is considered the best central defender as the club and it's evident that his absence has had a toll. 

The news was however mitigated by the return of French centre half Laurent Koscienly, who was stretched off on the half hour mark in Arsenal's weekend win over Fulham after coliding with Sebastien Squillaci.

Koscienly and Squillaci will once again partner one another in the heart of the defence, whilst at right back Emmanuel Eboue could be in for a start, as Wenger looks to rest Bacary Sagna for the upcoming clash with rivals Manchester United.

The same could be said for left back Gael Clichy, the Frenchman may be demoted to the bench for English international Kieran Gibbs.

Imposing Swiss Johan Djourou is absent with a minor thigh injury.

Midfielders

Arsenal will once again be without captain Cesc Fabregas and enforcer Abou Diaby due to respective injuries; Fabregas is fighting to complete full fitness for the United encounter, whilst Diaby is still a week from returning to fitness. 

Teenage sensastion Jack Wilshere is expected to be rested, with Samba star Denilson coming into the midfield to partner Tomas Rosicky, who will fulfil Fabregas's role.

Alexandre Song will, as usual, take on the defensive midfield duties.

Forwards

Start striker Robin van Persie played 20 minutes against Fulham on Saturday and during his cameo assisted Samir Nasri for the winning goal. The Dutchman and Nasri are both expected to start, with van Persie playing the lone striker role and Nasri on the right wing but the Frenchman will also alternate with Rosicky through the middle.

Andrei Arshavin will start on the left wing. The Russian has returned to devastating form, after a sluggish start to the season, and will look to torment the Braga defence.

Theo Walcott, Nicklas Bendtner, Marouane Chamakh and Carlos Vela will have to settle for bench roles.

Substitutes

With seven places on Wenger's bench, Wojciech Szczensy will be the back up keeper with Bacary Sagna or Emmanuel Eboue the back up defenders.

Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Nicklas Bendtner, Marouane Chamakh and Carlos Vela the back up attackers.

Mbappé's Rollercoaster Season 🎢

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