UEFA Champions League: Arsenal Will Stay Hot with Important Win vs. Marseille

Arsenal has rattled off five straight wins after many people were prepared to write them off in both the Premier and Champions leagues. The Gunners' hot streak has alleviated some pressure, which was mounting quickly on the team's shoulders following a trying summer.

Even though they are coming off an impressive road win against Chelsea, veteran manager Arsene Wenger, who has garnered more than his fair share of criticism, has warned his team about overconfidence (via ESPNsoccernet).

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“We have now to forget about Chelsea, carry on, and prove that we can keep doing the job,” Wenger said.

“We want just to qualify. Our job is to forget about the last game, take the positives out of it, and focus on the next one just as we had to do when we lost 8-2 to Manchester United.”

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Arsenal goes up against Marseille today in a rematch from 13 days ago when the Gunners walked out of Stade Velodrome with a 1-0 win. Aaron Ramsey scored in stoppage time and Wojciech Szczesny picked up a clean sheet to take a Group F lead through three games.

By controlling possession, the game was played at Arsenal's pace and allowed them to sneak out a victory in the dying moments when a draw would have been a solid result.

The Gunners know a home win would all but assure them a trip to the tournament's knockout stages, which would help silence the numerous unhappy fans.

Thomas Vermaelen is expected to return and will provide an added boost to the defense. The back line was shaky against a strong Chelsea attack and can only benefit from the Belgium international's return.

It will be key that Arsenal take control of the game early like it did in France. Les Phoceens are a talented team, but are lacking confidence as they sit in the middle of Ligue 1's table. Allowing them to score first could give them enough of a boost to pull off the upset.

Loic Remy is Marseille's top scoring threat and is never shy about taking a shot toward goal, averaging nearly four shots per game in league play. Didier Deschamps is still waiting for his star striker to bring the same aggressiveness to Champions League play.

All told, Arsenal has an advantage in both talent and momentum and that form should carry them past Les Phoceens. The result will further prove that rumors of the Gunners' demise were greatly exaggerated.

Prediction: Arsenal 2, Marseille 1