Arsenal looking for first Champions League points against Galatasaray

The Gunners go into their home Champions League fixture with Galatasaray knowing it is a must-win game. Despite losing 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion in their first match, and failing to make much of an impression, they are still odds-on favourites with Coral at 4/7 to achieve a victory, even though Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta will sit out injured.

Arsenal go into the clash, however, having not yet lost in the Premier League, and with star summer signing Alexis Sanchez starting to discover form and showing signs of improving all the time. He is their top scorer in all competitions with four goals, and is priced at 4/1 to net first against the Turkish outfit.

The only time the two sides played each other, was the 2000 UEFA Cup final when Galatasaray won 4-1 on penalties, after no goals in the match. At 11/2 to win this time around, however, Cesare Prandelli’s side are overwhelming outsiders.

Danny Welbeck has also found his feet for Arsenal, after the former Manchester United man netted against Aston Villa in the Gunners’ 3-0 victory in the West Midlands. The striker has also started to form a good understanding with Germany World Cup star Mesut Ozil and is 4/1 to grab the opener, while Arsenal’s ‘number 10’ is 11/4 to net anytime.

For the away side, experienced campaigner and former winner of the competition with Inter Milan; Wesley Sneijder is expected to be their main creative spark. In 82 European appearances, the 30-year-old Dutchman has scored on 16 occasions, and contributed 21 assists, proving along the way that he has an eye for the spectacular. At 5/1 to score anytime, should he be presented with a free-kick opportunity from the edge of the area, Gunners goalie Wojciech Szczesny will have to be on his guard.

Enforcing Galatasaray’s midfield, and hoping to contend with the likes of Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, is seasoned Brazilian Felipe Melo. The 31-year-old former Juventus anchorman is known for his tough tackling and uncompromising style, however Chamberlain showed glimpses of promise in the north London derby, pouncing on a failed clearance to score the equalising goal. He is 7/2 to follow that up and find the net anytime.