Giroud to inspire Arsenal to the Champions League last 16?

Match Preview: Ludogorets vs Arsenal - Champions League - 01.11.2016

Tonight Arsenal travel to the home of Ludogorets who they soundly beat in this competition less than a fortnight ago. The Gunners returned to scoring form on Saturday with what ended up being a comfortable 4-1 win over Sunderland. However, there was a period shortly after the Black Cats equalised that Gooners across the globe would have been thinking 'here we go again.'

Arsenal were dominant on the ball and creating chances despite the absence of Santi Cazorla but they struggled to find the back of the net. Sunderland defended deep which forced Arsenal wide and even though the quality of the crosses was good we lacked a presence in the box. Enter Olivier Giroud and within minutes the game was won. 

The team will likely have one eye on Sunday's North London Derby so the return of Giroud and Ramsey will give Wenger the rotation options he desperately needs. Injuries have been less of a problem for Arsenal this season and clearly a larger squad is beneficial to keeping everyone fit but all it takes is a tweaked muscle for the notable absences to start piling up. For that reason we can expect a lot of rotation for tonight.

Gooners would be forgiven for thinking this game is a done deal considering how easily Ludogorets were brushed aside last time out but Wenger is rightfully wary of the Bulgarian champions. They are playing in their own back yard and will not want to be humiliated. Add that to the rotation that is necessary for the weekend and there is potential for an upset. That said, this Arsenal team have shown great professionalism this season and our squad depth is the strongest it has been since the Invincibles. Hector Bellerin has picked up a knock and will miss this game as a precaution and who Wenger chooses to play in his stead will speak volumes. Whoever gets the nod and makes the first XI tonight I think we can expect them to do the shirt proud. COYG!

Previous MEETINGS

This is the second time Arsenal and Ludogorets have met. The first match ended in a 6-0 win to The Arsenal.

FACTFILE

• This will be Arsenal’s second ever meeting with a team from Bulgaria in all competitions.
• David Ospina has kept two clean sheets in the Champions League this season.
• The Bulgarian champions have scored 13 goals in 3 matches since losing 6-0 to the Gunners.
• Ludogorets have only failed to score in 2 of their last 9 Champions League ties.

INJURIES

Lucas (ankle), Cazorla (heel), Walcott (hamstring), Monreal (muscle), Akpom (back), Bellerin (foot), Mertesacker, Welbeck (both knee)

Predicted STARTING XI

Ospina, Jenkinson, Gabriel, Holding, Gibbs, Elneny, Xhaka, Ramsey; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud, Iwobi.

GOONERSPHERE'S PREDICTION

Ludogorets 1-3 Arsenal

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