Source: SKY_Sports
Arsenal v AZ preview
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Arsenal will be determined to avoid any slip-ups in their bid to seal progression to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.[LNB] The Gunners looked to be cruising to a third straight win in Group H when they met AZ Alkmaar in Holland a fortnight ago, only to be denied by an injury-time strike from David Mendes da Silva.[LNB]The 1-1 draw left Arsene Wenger's men with seven points and work to do in their remaining games, although they remain in pole position to reach the next round.[LNB]Qualification for the knockout stage could be secured on Wednesday if Arsenal beat AZ at Emirates Stadium and Olympiakos avoid defeat to Standard Liege in the other group game.[LNB]The Londoners will certainly be full of confidence after maintaining their fine form with a convincing victory over local rivals Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday.[LNB]However, Wenger has been rocked by the news that left-back Gael Clichy will be out for around a month with a suspected stress fracture in his back.[LNB]Nicklas Bendtner is also missing with a groin injury, while Theo Walcott (knee), Denilson (back) and goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski (thigh) remain sidelined.[LNB]Midfielder Tomas Rosicky does return to the squad after recovering from a knee problem that has kept him out in recent weeks.[LNB]AZ newsDutch champions AZ will be desperate to pick up three points to get back into contention for a top-two finish after a disappointing start to their group campaign.[LNB]Having drawn two of their opening three fixtures and lost to Olympiakos, they are currently four points adrift of the Greek side.[LNB]They have also been inconsistent in the Eredivisie with two defeats in their last three domestic games seeing them slip back to seventh.[LNB]Manager Ronald Koeman, who has never lost a contest with Wenger, has admitted the trip to Arsenal will be AZ's most difficult game in the group.[LNB]But Koeman will have almost a fully-fit squad to choose from, with Mounir El Hamdaoui the only absentee.[LNB]
