Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Arsenal v AZ Alkmaar

Arsenal    v    AZ Alkmaar

    Champions League Group H
    Venue: Emirates Stadium Date: Date Wednesday, 4 November 2009 Kick-off: 1945 GMT Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live and Sky Sports 2

    TEAM NEWS

    Arsenal will be without Gael Clichy after the French defender was ruled out for up to a month with a suspected stress fracture in his back.

    However, Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky returns to the squad for Wednesday's tie following a knee problem.

    Forwards Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott remain unavailable because of groin and knee injuries respectively.

    Goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski (thigh) and midfielder Denilson (back) are also still on the casualty list.

    Arsenal will book their place in the last eight by defeating AZ on Wednesday if Olympiakos also avoid defeat against Standard Liege - but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger will not be satisfied unless his team finish first in the group.

    The Londoners currently top Group H with seven points from three games - including a 1-1 draw with Alkmaar - and Wenger wants to guarantee a home second leg in the last 16.

    "We want to finish first in the group and that will not be done on Wednesday, but we can make the first step, to win and qualify," said Wenger.

    "That will be a big step but you know we were warned at Alkmaar that this team has quality, that, in my opinion, they focus highly on the Champions League."

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