Arsenal vs. Galatasaray: Match Preview

Arsenal vs. Galatasaray

UEFA Champions League

Emirates Stadium, London

Wednesday, October 1, 11.45AM PT/2.45 PM ET/7.45 PM BT

US TV: Fox Sports 1 | Worldwide TV Listings: livesoccer.tv

After an uninspiring weekend in which points were shared and more injuries were obtained, Arsenal look to rally with a midweek Champions League game against Galatasaray. Jack Wilshere will probably be fit, if needed (he'll likely be saved for the weekend), but Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta are both out, with hamstring and calf problems respectively.

Arsenal are a bit behind the eight ball, qualification-wise, after being beaten by Dortmund they're last in the group and need a win to get to at least second. Being second in the group of course means that you qualify for the knockouts, but as we all know, finishing second in the group dramatically decreases your chances of a deep run into the knockouts, much less winning the whole tournament. So this game, while not a "must win" in the sense that they'll be out of Europe if they lose, is still a very important game and getting the three points is vital.

Galatasaray have only won two of their six games overall (four league, two cup) this season, and are currently fourth place in the Turkish Super League, on seven points. They are currently ahead of Arsenal in the CL on one point after drawing with Anderlecht, and will be looking to repeat that result in London tomorrow night. It's up to Arsenal to make sure that doesn't happen.