Arsenal are currently unbeaten in The Barclays Premier League this season. With two draws, two wins and just the one goal conceded, Arsenal's usual below-par defence has certainly been bolstered, mainly under the guidance of new Arsenal coach and former player, Steve Bould. With one goal conceded and 8 scored, Arsenal are in excellent form heading into the game against new man Oliver Girioud's former club.This will be Arsenal's 15th consecutive appearance in The UEFA Champions League and they are
unbeaten in their last eight opening game encounters in the Champions
League group stage. The last defeat came all the way back in 2003 at Highbury, courtesy of Inter Milan with a 3-0 victory. As well as boasting a rather impressive record, Arsenal
have never lost an away game in France, returning victorious from
five of their nine visits. As it stands, things do not look good for Montpellier! The
French club are making their first appearance in the Champions League
and would be glad just to progress through to the knockout
round. Having being drawn in a group that also features Arsenal and
FC Schalke, their relatively small and inexperienced squad will be stretched to the
limit, if they are to field strong teams in Europe as well
as domestically. Although Montpellier can look to the fact that Arsenal have failed to keep a clean sheet in 19 of there 20 last Champions League games.
Arsenal
have never lost an away game in France, returning victorious from
five of their nine visits. Out of the 5 wins, Arsenal have won three of them 1-0.
Players To Watch:
Younes Belhanda –
Montpellier
The Morocco international has
been a great asset for the reigning French champions over the last
couple of years. Montpellier will look to the midfielder to make
things happen against Arsene Wenger’s side.
The 22-year-old is a talented
player who can torment the opponents on his day. If given space and
time, the youngster could really hurt Arsenal’s chances of getting
all three points from their opening game of the campaign.
Olivier Giroud –
Arsenal
The France international was
scoring goals for pleasure for Montpellier last season but has failed
to find the back of the net in Arsenal colours so far.
However, the 25-year-old
would see a trip back to his former side as a perfect stage to score
his first Arsenal goal.
Montpellier current form:
Draw – Lose – Lose – Win –
Lose
Arsenal current form:
Draw – Draw – Win – Win
Arsenal Probable line-up:
Mannone, Jenkinson, Mertersacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Diaby,
Cazorla, Arteta, Chamberlain,
Gervinho, Podolski
Montpellier Probable line-up:
Jourden,
Bocaly, Yanga-Mbiwa, Hilton, Bedimo, Utaka, Cabella, Belhanda,
Estrada, Ait-Fana, Herrera
Source: DSG