Match Preview: Arsenal v AZ Alkmaar (UCL)

Champion's League Action Match Day 3 Group H

It’s the only trophy that has eluded Arsene Wenger. Europe’s biggest prize and probably the biggest prize in all Football. The group stages of the UEFA Champion’s League resume Tuesday with Arsenal travelling to DSB Stadium to faceoff against AZ Alkmaar.

Arsenal are looking to continue their Champion’s League form which has seen them take 6 points out of both matches. They currently sit 3 points ahead of Olympiakos and a win in Tuesday’s match puts them in the driver’s seat for the group. AZ Alkmaar, last years winner of the Dutch Edervesie, llook to make that not happen.

The Gunners make the trip to Holland without some key cogs missing, namely; Eduardo, Theo Walcott, Nicholas Bendtner, Tomas Rosicky, Samir Nasri, Denilson, and Johann Djourou. But Gael Clichy is set to return to the lineup. Either way there are likely to be some young additions to the squad to fill in for those in the training room.

The squad making the trip are:

Vito Mannone
Manuel Almunia
Carlos Vela
Robin van Persie
William Gallas
Bacary Sagna
Kieran Gibbs
Thomas Vermaelen
Mikael Silvestre
Gael Clichy
Andrey Arshavin
Fran Merida
Jack Wilshere
Aaron Ramsey
Cesc Fabregas
Emmanuel Eboue
Abou Diaby
Alex Song

Their opponents are in their first Champion’s League competition and are lead by manager Ronald Koeman who has a reputation for managing sides that take out English clubs from the Champion’s League.  In 2006-2007 he was at the helm of PSV and in 2002-2003 he was at Ajax when Arsenal failed to proceed past the group stages.

The two clubs have never met in true competition but did face off in a friendly match which Arsenal won 3-0. AZ come into this match in opposite form to the Gunners. They’ve not won in their last five matches and in this past weekend’s tie lost to FC Twente 3-2.  The have only managed four goals in their last six matches between the league and the Champion’s League. They have only taken a point from the competition so far losing to Olympiakos 1-0 and gaining a draw against Standard Liege.

The club fancy themselves a Dutch version of the EPL goal leaders.  They play an attacking style and try to stay positionally sound. In addition to that they have Red jersies with white sleeves (Whoopie!!!!). The good news for AZ – no injuries from the squad and look to play with their full complement.

So far all of Arsenal’s opponents have had “an attacking style” and with the exception of the first four minutes of the Standard Liege match, the Gunners have thoroughly outplayed their competition. Even with the players on the trainer’s table the Gunners are full of options and opportunities for players to step in and step up.

Arsene Wenger is full of pride in the quality of this side and is convinced that silverware is not far from the offing for them About to turn 60 on Thursday Arsene wants nothing other than a committement to the win on Tuesday.  From there he believes that this club is on the route to fulfilling it’s potential.

“I think this team has a big future. We’ve improved but haven’t won anything yet – we will try to change that this season. AZ have more of a balanced team than Standard de Liege, and are better on the ball, but it is never easy to beat a team in the Champions League. It’s never easy to beat a Dutch team either, but tomorrow is a good opportunity to do that.”

Arsenal lead the competition with 22 shots on goal. Based on current form, you can expect that the Gunners will be up for this match.

What to Expect?

Based on current form of both clubs, this looks to be an easy match up for the Gunners. But nothing is ever easy for us and with so many injured you have to wonder if this will be one of those matches that takes us 30-40 minutes before we find the net.  AZ have a fairly good record at home in all UEFA competitions only losing once in 34 home games going back to 1977. It was Everton in 2007 that ended this run.  However, if the match goes as open and as attacking as AZ say they will be then it clearly favors the stronger visitors. That is their style to a T and in league and UEFA competions so far they haven’t let down.

Regardless of how skilled Koeman is as a tactician he has not been able to replicate last season’s success for the Dutch side  The Gunners are going to be too much for them especially if Vela and Arshavin are on the wings. That is too much speed and creativity for them to handle.

Players to Watch:

Arsenal: Robin Van Persie comes home and in great form having a goal in each of the last 6 matches. He is placing the ball in the net with precision and finese. Look for him to stand out yet again in front of his home country.

AZ Alkmaar: Beats me. Anyone watch the Dutch Edervesie and want to take a stab? The only ones I have heard of are Mendes da Silva and El Hamdaoui.

Possible Starting XI:

Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Fabregas, Song, Diaby, Arshavin, Van Persie, Vela

AZ Alkmaar: Romero; Swerts, Jaliens, Moreno, Pocognoli; Holman, Mendes da Silva, Schaars, Martens, Dembele, El Hamdaou

Final Score:

Arsenal: 3
AZ Alkmaar: 0