'Dutch Arsenal' aim to spike Londoners' guns
TEAM NEWS
AZ Alkmaar
Koeman has at least one advantage over Wenger going into this match, in so far as AZ have no injury worries at the moment.
Squad: Didulica, Heijblok, Romero, Jaliens, Moreno, Pocognoli, Moisander, Boelee, Copier, Van Huizen, Mendes da Silva, Schaars, Martens, Klavan, Poulsen, Wernbloom, Luijckx, Van der Velden, Holman, Swerts, Holland, Nielsen, Alberg, Rienstra, Sigthorsson, De Vogel, Lens, Ari, El Hamdaoui, Dembele, Pelle, Ali Messaoud.
Last starting XI (v Twente): Romero; Swerts, Jaliens, Moreno, Pocognoli (Poulsen 70); Elm, Mendes da Silva, Schaars (Pellè 76), Martens (Lens 61); Dembélé, El Hamdaoui.
Possible starting XI: Romero; Swerts, Jaliens, Moreno, Pocognoli; Holman, Mendes da Silva, Schaars, Martens, Dembele, El Hamdaoui.
Recent form
AZ Alkmaar
17 Oct (League) v FC Twente (A) LOST 2-3
03 Oct (League) v NAC Breda (H) WON 1-0
29 Sept (Champions League) v Standard Liege (H) DREW 1-1
26 Sept (League) v FC Utrecht (A) LOST 0-1
22 Sept (Cup) v Jong Ajax (H) WON 2-0 (aet)
19 Sept (League) v NEC Nijmegen (H) LOST 0-1
Theo Walcott is out for three to four weeks with knee ligament damage sustained in a rugged challenge from Birmingham's Liam Ridgewell at the weekend. Also out are Tomas Rosicky, Nicklas Bendtner, Denilson, Eduardo, Lukasz Fabianski and Johan Djourou, though Gael Clichy's ankle injury has cleared up enough for him to make the trip to Holland. Lukasz Fabianski will return from injury together with Samir Nasri when Arsenal's reserves tackle Wolves this week.
Squad: Mannone, Almunia, Vela, Van Persie, Gallas, Sagna, Gibbs, Vermaelen, Silvestre, Clichy, Arshavin, Merida, Wilshere, Ramsey, Fabregas, Eboue, Diaby, Song.
Last starting XI (v Birmingham): Mannone; Eboue (Wilshere 90), Gallas, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Fabregas, Song, Diaby; Walcott (Arshavin 33), Van Persie, Rosicky (Sagna 72).
Possible starting XI: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Fabregas, Song, Diaby, Arshavin, Van Persie, Vela.
Recent form
17 Oct (Premier League) v Birmingham City (H) WON 3-1
04 Oct (Premier League) v Blackburn Rovers (H) WON 6-2
29 Sept (Champions League) v Olympiakos (H) WON 2-0
26 Sept (Premier League) v Fulham (A) WON 1-0
22 Sept (League Cup) v West Bromwich Albion (H) WON 2-0
19 Sept (Premier League) v Wigan Ath (H) WON 4-0
PREDICTION
AZ have lost only once in 34 home games in UEFA club competition, a sequence that began in September 1977. Another English club, Everton, punctured the unbeaten run in a December 2007 UEFA Cup tie, but AZ will still draw confidence from an impressive statistic. On the other hand AZ's overall record against English clubs in Europe is played 10, won two, drawn three, lost five. Arsenal have played Dutch teams competitively 16 times, winning six, drawing six and losing four.
However, more pertinent than history is current form, which would suggest an away win for the in-form Gunners. Koeman has, though, proved a shrewd tactician against Premier League opposition, and will surely have made plans to try and stifle Arsenal's fluid attacking instincts while noting certain vulnerabilities in their defensive set-up. This could be a fascinating battle of wits between the two coaches and their players, but the Gunners might just edge it.
AZ Alkmaar 1-2 Arsenal
Source : Goal.com
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