Arsenal v AZ Alkmaar
Football: Europe, UEFA Champions League 2009/2010
Wednesday, 4th November 2009 - Kickoff 19:45

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Arsenal (England)

Arsenal have a chance to wrap-up qualification for the knockout stages in just four games, requiring a win in this match to complete the job.

The Gunners come into this game after a comfortable 3-0 victory over Tottenham in the North London derby on the weekend, athough it came with the loss of two key players with both Nicolas Bendtner and Gael Clichy to injuries that will take a month to heal.

Arsenal have a very solid record when playing at home in the Champions League, going 13-5-1 over 19 home ties in the last three seasons and a goal difference of 39:9.

The home side have an extended injury list, with as many as nine players out, but fortunately for Arsene Wenger the injuries are sprinkled through many positions and there is enough cover in the sqaud for a strong side.

Arsenal Team News :
Out: Gael Clichy (back) Johan Djourou (knee), Denilson (back), Tomáš Rosický (knee), Theo Walcott (knee), Jack Wilshere (ankle), Carlos Vela (knee), Łukasz Fabiański (thigh), Nicklas Bendtner (groin)

AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands)

AZ Alkmaar's experience in the Champions League is limited to just this season, with home draws against both Arsenal and Standard Liege and a narrow 0-1 loss to Olympiakos.

Alkmaar have struggled domestically this season, going 6-0-6 in their first 12 league games (3-0-3 away), which is only good enough for 7th spot on the table - 14 points behind leaders FC Twente.

AZ Alkmaar have only one declared injury.

AZ Alkmaar Teean news :
Out: Mounir El Hamdaoui (muscle)

Head to Head

In the reverse fixture played a fortnight ago, Arsenal dominated territory and goal chances, but were a little bit wasteful in front of goal and were made to pay for this when the Dutch side scored an injury time equaliser.

Arsenal haven't done very well when hosting Dutch clubs in Europe, with just a 2-4-1 record from seven matches, although the last game - played in 2008 - did end in a 4-0 victory over FC Twente.

AZ Alkmaar have played four matches in England, losing them all to Newcastle United (2-4 in 2007), and much earlier losses to Liverpool and Ipswich Town in the 1970's and 1980's.

The Betting Verdict

The Gunners have the talent to win this game well, and they have been warned about Alkmaar's ability to keep battling if the game is close after the 1-1 draw a fortnight ago.

Factor in the fact that Arsenal can also ensure qualification with a home victory tonight, and we can be quite certain that manager Arsene Wenger will field a strong side in order to see the job completed.

This should be a comfortable home win for Arsenal.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Arsenal 3-0 AZ Alkmaar

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take ARSENAL to win.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take ARSENAL to beat a -1.5 goal handicap.