Arsenal FC: Analyzing Arsenal's Champions League Opponents

The Champions League Group draw took place today, and Arsenal were drawn alongside Marseille, Olympiakos and Borussia Dortmund.

Arsenal will consider themselves lucky not to be drawn in the tournament's "group of death," which consists of Bayern Munich, Villarreal, Manchester City, and Napoli, but few groups have as much strength in depth as Arsenal's.

Being the top seed in the group, Arsenal are favorites to go through. But Arsenal are also the only side among the four who did not qualify for the tournament automatically. All three opponents will be a challenge for the Gunners.

This slide show will provide a brief preview of Arsenal's Champions League opponents.  

Marseille

Marseille are no stranger to the Champions League. One of the perennial contenders in Ligue 1, Marseille have an experienced squad who will not be intimidated by the occasion.

Marseille and Arsenal play a similar system, which means both teams may fare equally against the other opponents. In fact, the Marseille system is so similar Arsene Wenger was rumored to be interested in three of their players this summer: midfielders Mathieu Valbuena, Lucho Gonzalez, and Andre Ayew. Now that the Gunners are slated to face Marseille twice in the coming months those transfers seem even less likely to come to fruition. 

Marseille have a strong African contingent in their squad, much like Arsenal. They are athletic, strong, and experienced against English opposition after recent battles with Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool. They will be a very difficult opponent.

Olympiakos

Greek Champions Olympiakos are also in the group. Olympiakos faced Arsenal in the group stage in 2009, with both teams winning at home. It should be noted, however, that Arsenal had already assured qualification when they played in Greece. The Arsenal team that lost against Olympiakos was a very young, inexperienced side.

Olympiakos are the worst team in the group, and the other teams will want to take maximum points against them. This could be a problem for Arsenal simply because their trip to Athens is much further than it is for their opponents. It will be harder for Arsenal to take the three points at Olympiakos than it will be for the other teams in the group.

Olympiakos will play defensively, in traditional Greek style, and look to steal points on counter-attacks and set pieces. Arsenal are also the worst team in the group when it comes to defending set pieces. 

The Greek Champions will be a tricky opponent, but if Arsenal do not take a full six points from their two matches against Olympiakos they will be forced to take points off the other two tougher opponents in order to qualify. 

Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund are the team no one wanted in their group. The best team in the 4th and lowest ranked pot of the draw, Arsenal have been thrown a curveball in what looked to be shaping up into a very easy group.

Dortmund makes the group significantly tougher. The German Champions ran riot in the Bundesliga last season. Despite losing midfielder Nuri Sahin to Real Madrid, Dortmund are still loaded with young quality players who could make a surprise run deep into the knockout stages much like Schalke did last year.

Dortmund's biggest strength lies in defense with Neven Subotic and Mats Hummels. The two young center backs have rapidly become two of the best in Europe, both of whom would be welcome additions to an Arsenal side short of defenders.

Much like Arsenal reported targets who play for Marseille, however, any chance of Subotic or Hummels joining Arsenal will have died when the two were drawn together in the group stage. 

Talented midfielders Shinji Kagawa and Mario Goetze are two of the best playmakers in Germany, and will look to break onto the global scene with a successful Champions League campaign. Striker Lucas Barrios is a dangerous frontman.

In all, despite being one of the lowest seeds in the tournament, Borussia Dortmund might win the group.

Prediction

I expect Arsenal to qualify and finish second in Group F.

Arsenal's home form in the Champions League has been fantastic at the Emirates Stadium and I expect that success to continue. I expect Arsenal to take all nine points from their three home matches.

The away matches will prove to be more difficult, however. Dortmund's fans will be energized for their return to the biggest stage and I expect Arsenal to lose at the German champs.

Arsenal, having such a strong French contingent in their squad, should find their travels to Marseille to be much easier. Their familiarity with the French league will help, but Marseille are a strong team and I expect them to at least earn a draw against Arsenal in France.

If Arsenal lose at the Stade Velodrome, however, they will have a very tough time qualifying, as Marseille will be tough to eliminate from the tournament. 

The away match at Olympiakos could prove to be the most vital in the group. Arsenal are by far the smallest, least physical team in their group. If Olympiakos can expose this lack of size and take points away from the Gunners in Athens, Arsenal could be headed for the Europa League. 

Final Predictions

1. Dortmund - 13 points (3 home wins, 1 away win, and 1 away draw)

2. Arsenal - 11 points (3 home wins and 2 away draws)

3. Marseille - 8 points (1 home win, 1 away win, and 2 home draws)

4. Olympiakos - 1 point (1 home draw)