Arsenal to stutter and stumble home
10 points may not be enough for Arsenal.
10 points is usually a safe mark for knock-out round qualification in the Champions League but Arsenal are not assured yet.
A single point from either of their last two matches will be enough to book their spot and a home match on Match Day 5 should see them through.
The games in Match Day 5 are:
Arsenal v Standard Liege
AZ Alkmaar v Olympiakos
Whilst Arsenal are likely to book their last 16 place with ease, the other knock-out slot is definitely up for grabs.
Olympiakos hold the upper hand by two points and have already played their tie in London at the Emirates Stadium. A trip to Holland is the Match day 5 task for the Greek side, which will be a challenge but not an insurmountable one.
A victory in Holland would place them five points ahead of Standard Liege, who will be playing in England at the same time.
One thing that may be in favour of the Belgian side is that Arsenal may have a lot to contend with.
A growing injury list has threatened to derail Arsenal’s Premier League hopes and the loss of Robin van Persie will be a sore one for Arsene Wenger. A weekend loss to Sunderland will no doubt have affected Arsenal but also shows a worrying inability to take chances.
Arsenal have a tendency to overplay when a shot would see some benefit and they are now having to rely on Eduardo to get the goals for them. Eduardo has already shown he can dive in the Champions League this season but whether he can be a goal getter is another matter.
A lack of Gooners cutting edge may enable Standard Liege to avoid defeat in London which will keep them in contention but if results go to plan, Group H could be all over bar the shouting.
Will Match day 5 decide Group H?
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