Marseille vs. Arsenal: 10 Bold Predictions for Champions League Clash

On Wednesday, Arsenal travel to the Stade Velodrome to take on Olympique de Marseille, a club rich with talent and history with the Gunners' French boss, Arsene Wenger.

On the back of a win against Sunderland, Arsenal's confidence should be relatively high, or at least higher than it was following a crushing defeat to Spurs in the North London Derby.

In a tough group, an away win against a very good team in Marseille would go a long way towards securing progression past the group stage of the most prestigious club competition in the world.

So, without further ado, here are 10 bold predictions for what will surely be a very exciting game of football, both because of the attacking style that both teams employ and the important nature of the match.

Enjoy.

Marseille's Midfield Will Tear Arsenal Apart

Despite the prolific nature of OM's many forwards, including Andre Ayew and Loic Remy, Marseille's midfield is undoubtedly its strongest advantage.

With such globally renowned (and Arsenal-tracked) stars as Mathieu Valbuena, Benoit Cheyrou, Stephane M'Bia and Lucho Gonzalez eligible for selection, their is certainly no dearth of quality in that packed middle of the pitch.

Arsenal, by comparison, are missing their best midfielder, Jack Wilshere, and are also without the services of Abou Diaby, while Aaron Ramsey is a doubt with the hamstring injury that kept him out against Sunderland.

With Tomas Rosicky grasping for fitness despite a promising display against the Black Cats, it could be a long day for Mikel Arteta and Alex Song, as well as the defenders who will have to deal with the piercing passes of Valbuena and Cheyrou.

There Will Be a Battle of the Goalkeepers

Aside from their midfield, Marseille have one of the premier goalkeepers in the world in captain Steve Mandanda, who has not conceded goals in victories over Borussia Dortmund and Olympiakos.

Not only is his name fun to type (seriously, try it), his reflexes, strength and leadership as a French international give him the ability to carry his team to victories or save them from defeats.

However, there is a young Pole at the other end of the pitch who has all the ability and poise to match Mandanda, and this match could turn into a battle of goalkeepers.

Both teams play an attacking style, and the battle to thwart each side's strikers will be both exciting and crucial in deciding who will come out on top at the end of the match.

Carl Jenkinson Will Be Torched

I like Carl Jenkinson. He has incredible stamina, inadvertently makes funny faces during matches and is, in my opinion, the best crosser of the ball—with either foot—on this Arsenal squad.

He is, however, a very subpar defender, at least for now. And, while an excellent defender in Bacary Sagna is sidelined, Jenkinson's weakness will be extremely apparent in an already fragile back line.

And with Andre Ayew and his blazing pace and quick technique running straight at him, it will be a tough test for Jenkinson, who loves to venture forward and was often caught out of position against a Sunderland side that rarely ventured forward.

Yossi Benayoun Will Shine

I'm kind of going out on a limb with this one, considering that our Israeli midfielder has not played a significant role in the squad thus far.

However, with midfielders like Tomas Rosicky short on fitness, it might be time for Benayoun to be given his chance. And I predict that he will take it with both hands.

Yossi, who is on loan from Chelsea, puts every ounce of effort that he can give into every appearance he is given, and that work ethic might just give Arsenal the edge they need to take down a talented team like Marseille.

If Arsene Wenger is aware of this, he will surely at least give Benayoun a look for a place in his starting XI.

Robin van Persie Will Shine Too

How could he not? After a stunning display against Sunderland at the weekend, it can certainly be argued that the Dutchman is in the best form of his career.

The Arsenal captain will surely have a fun time running at—and hopefully through—the French defence, although firing his shots past Steve Mandanda will prove more difficult.

There is no disputing that van Persie is Arsenal's most respected leader, despite the speculation about his future, and his talismanic stature will prove a great help in knocking off the pesky French at the Stade Velodrome.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Will Make an Appearance

Eighteen-year-old starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has already made his debut and scored his first goal for Arsenal, but he could make his biggest impact yet in France on Wednesday.

With Theo Walcott struggling to perform for Arsene Wenger's side, Chamberlain would be the logical replacement for his fellow Englishman.

After scoring against Shrewsbury Town, he netted a hat-trick for England U-21s and is showing signs of maturity beyond his tender years.

So, in addition to Yossi Benayoun, it may be time for the Ox to be given his chance to make his mark.

Gervinho Will Be Man of the Match

Our Ivorian-with-a-Brazilian-name has been struggling in recent weeks, most notably in his finishing when presented with fantastic chances.

However, in a league that he has vast experience in against a team that he fiercely competed against, it is high time that Gervinho began to show his true quality, which has been bubbling under the surface.

In addition, Gervinho's best performances this season has come in European competition, as his light stature and fleet-footed style of play is perfectly suited to the Champions League.

He has shown flashes of brilliance against Udinese and Borussia Dortmund, but I predict that this will be the game in which his skills finally meld together to form a beautiful product.

Arsene Wenger Will Actually Have Some Fun

Arsenal's embattled boss has looked morose on the touchline during recent matches, as he watched his side struggle to execute his philosophy. He has not looked as if he has been having fun at all.

However, this should change against his old foes Marseille, a French team that Wenger has competed against in the past with Monaco, and who he still follows due to their success.

Moreover, Wenger will be back in his home country, playing against a team in a league he follows and knows so well, so he should really get a kick out of this game. He'll get even more of a kick out of it if Arsenal win, however.

Per Mertesacker Will Face His Toughest Test Yet

You may wonder why, having been thrown into the fire against Premier League opposition, playing against a French team from Ligue 1 would be such a stern test for Mertesacker.

However, with the aforementioned Andre Ayew and Loic Remy, OM have an exceptionally potent and, more importantly, fast attack that will be fed by searching balls from their superb midfield, which includes Benoit Cheyrou and, the jewel in the crown, Mathieu Valbuena.

By contrast, Mertesacker is more suited to defending aerial balls and slower attackers like those in the Premier League due to his extreme lack of pace but superb positional awareness.

While this very skill may just cover up his weaknesses, he will really be put to the test against a very skillful French side that possess the ability to exploit Mertesacker's weaknesses.

Arsenal Will Win

Incredible, isn't it? The idea that Arsenal could string two quality wins together against tough opposition has to be counted as a bold prediction these days, but alas, that is where we are.

I do think, though, that with the preparation Arsene Wenger will surely give his players due to his extensive knowledge of Ligue 1 and the quality that the Gunners still have, victory is not out of reach at all.

As with Borussia Dortmund, this is a case of anything Marseille can do, Arsenal is capable of doing better, and if they can execute their game plan, they will have a very good chance to win.

It will not be easy at all, but I predict a 2-1 Arsenal win at the Stade Velodrome, as it is time that the Gunners finally get back to something resembling winning ways.