MATCH 6 (ARSENAL-1.5 vs STEAU BUCURESTI) - 13 DEC 2007

Kickoff : 3.45am

League : Champions League

Early Preview from Soccernet :

Jens Lehmann will make his return to the Arsenal side for the first time in almost four months against Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League on Wednesday night, but manager Arsene Wenger can offer the veteran German goalkeeper no guarantee over his future.
The 38-year-old has not featured for the Gunners since August 19 at Blackburn when he made a second high-profile error of the then fledgling season.
After suffering an elbow injury while on international duty, the German subsequently saw Manuel Almunia stake his claim for the Arsenal number one jersey.
Lehmann was less than impressed by being left warming the bench on his return to full fitness, declaring the whole saga to be a 'humiliation' as speculation continued he was set to leave Emirates Stadium when the transfer window opens in January.
While Wenger has praised the veteran as a 'super professional' and maintains the decision to play Lehmann against the Romanians tomorrow was made last month 'independent of everything else', the Arsenal boss stopped short of indicating the German was a firm part of his long-term plans.
Wenger revealed: 'Lehmann will start in goal tomorrow (Wednesday).
'His attitude has been fantastic and when you look at this man the one thing you cannot fault is he is a super professional. Jens is an example for everybody.
'For every goalkeeper it is good to practice, but at some stage you need to play at a competitive level.
'It is not a present. It is to keep him fit and competitive.
'If Jens plays well it does not create a problem.
'Why should it be a problem if a player plays well? It is a problem if he doesn't play well.'
Wenger maintained: 'For all of us the only target is to do well for the club - and we can only do that if we perform well.
'Jens' long-term future depends on, when you are 38, what you call a long-term future. We haven't spoken about that.
'At the moment I expect him to play well tomorrow.'
However, when asked if he expected Lehmann to remain at Arsenal for the second half of the season, Wenger said: 'I cannot guarantee [that], like for anybody else.'
Arsenal have several players still on the treatment table, including key midfielders Cesc Fabregas, Alex Hleb and Mathieu Flamini.
However, striker Robin van Persie is set to make a welcome return after being out with a knee problem since October 7, and midfielder Abou Diaby has recovered from a back injury.
'Robin looks okay and will be in the squad,' said Wenger.
'I have not made a decision yet whether I will start him or not. But he should play some part.'
With a Barclays Premier League showdown against Chelsea on Sunday, Wenger is in something of a selection quandary ahead of Arsenal's final Champions League Group H game, which will decide their seeding for the knockout stages.
Following the shock defeat at Middlesbrough which ended their unbeaten domestic run, Wenger indicated he will make some changes with young Dane Nicklas Bendtner set to lead the attack.
He said: 'I will rest some players, but I will play a team who is part of my squad.
'However, there is no Carling Cup side. I had one before, but now I feel they are a bit older and all these players have moved upwards now to the first-team squad.
'We have another game on Sunday and there are some players who have played four games on the trot away from home, including Sevilla. Some of them need a little breather.'
Wenger knows his men must put on a performance on Wednesday following their below-par display at the Riverside.
'We have lost a game and know we have not been good, so now of course we want to respond,' he said.
'However, our quality is what we have done in the last six months, not in just one game.
'We know only our own performance is important and not what people say, even more so in the bigger games.
'My squad is very determined and very strong.
'If you had listened to what people said before the season, we would be 10th or 12th in the league and be out of everything. At the moment we are in everything.
'It is not a coincidence - it is down to the mental strength of my team.'
Wenger, meanwhile, must serve a one-match touchline ban following his sending off in the last game against Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
However, the Arsenal manager will take it in his stride.
Wenger said: 'I will make my normal preparations with the team as always in our hotel.
'I will, of course, be separated during the game - but I believe it is not a big handicap.'

____________________________

FREAKTIPS PREVIEW

______

Arsenal

Emirates, need I say more, the stronghold of the Gunners, with vocal fans behind their backs, eagerly awaiting for the Gunners to once again display their attacking prowness and prove to the world that the defeat to Boro last Sunday was just a minor hiccup.

A convincing victory is needed here at the Emirates to boast confidence and secure top spot in the their Champions League group. Even with a big game coming up this weekend against Chelsea, Arsenal would definitely go for victory today against an already eliminated Steau Bucuresti. Top spot would prevent Arsenal from meeting strongs teams such as Barcelona or Chelsea in the 2nd round.

Convincing win tonite would help boast Arsenal's players confidence ahead of the big league game against Chelsea. Jens Lehman have been promised a start for this match and I am sure he is eager to prove his worth and hopefully regain the number 1 jersey again from Almunia. Van Persie is in the squad and most probably would come on in the 2nd half of the game to give him some match pratice ahead of Chelsea's game. A goal or two perhaps from him. Although Wenger did mention that he would be resting a couple of players, their back four is still a solid one with Gallas marshalling the defence, Gilberto providing the defensive midfield while Walcott giving the midfield an extra edge. Youngster Nicklas Bendtner would start as lone striker tonite and no doubt he will be eager as ever to score goals and eventually try to break into the first 11 lineup. Tonite would be the chance for young Bendtner to return Wenger's trust.

_____________

Steau Bucuresti

Steau Bucuresti have nothing to gain from this game apart from pride. I doubt they would be going all out for this match and might try to go for a draw in this match. Looking at the starting lineup, it looks like Bucuresti would not be starting with 2 defensive players which feature in the first round game against Arsenal at Romania. In fact a couple of players from the bench in the 1st game are being fielded tonite against Arsenal. The squad which held Arsenal to only a 1-0 victory at Romania have been reshuffled, showing that Bucuresti is not intending to give much of a fight tonite. In fact, Bucuresti would most probably concentrate on their upcoming game in the Romania league against Farul Constanta this Saturday. Securing valuable points in their league would be Bucuresti main agenda now.

_______

Summary

Long story aside, I am heavily favoring Arsenal tonite. The reasons are:

1. Arsenal playing at home(need I say more??), Bucuresti would be entering the lion's den tonite.
2. Arsenal have not tasted victory from their last 2 premiership game, victory tonite is a must to regain top spot in the group and ensuring a less risky passage in the Champions League.
3. Convincing win required to boast players confidence ahead of the match against Chelsea.
4. Persie is back, Walcott and Bendtner starting the match. There is more then enough firepower to destroy Bucuresti twice over.
5. Lehmen has to prove himself, or he can say goodbye to Arsenal come mid season.
6. Bucuresti has nothing to gain from this match, infact they might lose players to injuries if they were to go all out tonite.
7. My odds calculation says to take Arsenal tonite.

Verdict : Arsenal -1.5 FT (3 STAR BETS)

Upgrade to 5 star if AH changes to -1.25, refer to Asianbookie.com for actually AH.