BRUSSELS: If Anderlecht are to have any realistic chance of prolonging their involvement in the Champions League beyond the group stage, a home win over Arsenal today is paramount.
The Belgium side are joint bottom of Group D with one point from their opening two games, two points behind Arsenal and five behind leaders Borussia Dortmund.
Arsenal are not firing on all cylinders, however, and Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with Hull City left Arsene Wenger’s side 11 points off the pace in the Premier League.
The London club are still formidable opponents, but if ever there was a good time to face the Gunners it might be when they are stretched with record signing Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud and Mathieu Debuchy injured and first-choice keeper Wojciech Szczesny suspended after his red card against Galatasaray.
Theo Walcott is on the verge of a return after a long-standing knee injury while Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) and Jack Wilshere (knee) are slight doubts but should be available.
Reserve keeper David Ospina is also injured so third-choice Emiliano Martinez is expected to start for Arsenal.
Despite the injuries, midfielder Mathieu Flamini said there are no excuses for a moderate start to the season. While failure to reach the knockout rounds for the 12th consecutive season would represent failure for Arsenal, getting there would be a massive achievement for Anderlecht.
Since 2000-01 when they reached the now defunct second group stage, they have finished bottom of their group seven times, including last season when they managed a solitary point.
They also have failed to win any of their last 10 Champions League matches and were held 1-1 at Mechelen on Sunday, their fifth draw in 11 Belgium league matches this season.
Arsenal have also drawn five of their opening eight in the Premier League and Wenger was in a tetchy mood after two more points were dropped against Hull at the weekend.REUTERS
