Champions League match preview: Marseille v Arsenal

A look ahead to tonight's Champions League fixture at Stade Velodrome

Aaron Ramsey is the form player for Arsenal (EPA)

For all the talk of a crisis, Arsenal's visit to Stade Velodrome marks their 16th successive Champions League campaign, a run beaten only by Manchester United and Real Madrid. That experience may need to be called upon in the first game of a group completed by Napoli and Borussia Dortmund, last season's runners-up.

1993 winners Marseille have made a confident start to the domestic season, collecting 10 points from their five games so far. With the exception of centre-back Souleymane Diawara, injured in a 2-1 defeat to table-topping Monaco at the start of the month, manager Elie Baup is expecting a fully fit squad.

Follow the latest news and score from tonight's match - LIVE!

Despite picking up a knock on Saturday, Arsenal striker Oliver Giroud could start alongside European debutant Mesut Ozil and the returning Per Mertesacker. However, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta, Yaya Sanogo and Thomas Rosicky are expected to be ruled out, alongside long-term absentees Lukas Podolski and Abou Diaby.

KICK-OFF: Wednesday, 7:45pm

PAST TWO MEETINGS…

Arsenal 0 Marseille 0, Champions League, November 2011

Marseille 0 Arsenal 1 (Ramsey), Champions League, October 2011

STATS…

Arsenal have won their last nine away games in all competitions.

18 of Marseille's 21 victories in Ligue 1 last season were by a one-goal margin.

Aaron Ramsey is already enjoying his most prolific season with six goals so far this term.

ODDS…

Marseille to win: 3

Arsenal to win: 2.5

Draw: 3.4

TV: Live on Sky Sports 4 at 7:45pm