Arsenal vs. Galatasaray, 2014 UEFA Champions League: Team news and game preview

Thanks to a loss against Dortmund and a plethora of injuries, Arsenal are feeling the pressure to get a result against Galatasaray

Arsenal will face a Turkish club for the second time already in this season's Champions League when Galatasaray visit the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. The Gunners defeated Besiktas in the playoff round, and will likely feel some of the must win pressure from those games thanks to their 2-0 loss against Dortmund in the group stage opener.

The Gunners are the only team in Group D without a point and Arsene Wenger would like to avoid ending the second round of games as many as six points behind the top spot in the group. Arsenal will be boosted by the fact that traditionally, they're very strong at home in the UCL, along with the fact that Galatasaray has never won in nine visits to England.

One interesting storyline heading into the match will be whether or not Alexis Sánchez returns to the lineup. The Chilean was dropped for last weekend's North London Derby -- though he did feature as a sub -- leading to rumors and speculation about the wingers status with the team. It's probably nothing, just the usual overreactions that happen, but it's something worth watching going forward.

Key Player: Danny Welbeck (Arsenal)

With Olivier Giroud out, Danny Welbeck remains the man who will lead the Arsenal attack. Since joining the Gunners on the final day of the transfer window, Welbeck has a single goal in four appearances. He wasn't great in the Dortmund match, but maybe playing at home will help boost his confidence. He could use a big game to help calm Arsenal fans, who are expecting him to score goals.

Key Matchup: Arsenal's defense vs. Galatasaray

The Gunners defense, which is riddled by injuries, had a tough time of it against Dortmund two weeks ago as they conceded twice in a loss against the Germans. Wenger's back line remains decimated, especially at the fullback position, and while Gala's attack isn't to the level that Dortmund can unleash, they'll still be capable of testing Arsenal. The bottom line is that the defense must play better and try to avoid forcing the offense to be playing from behind.

Arsenal injuries and suspensions

Out: Aaron Ramsey (hamstring), Mikel Arteta (calf), About Diaby(hip), Theo Walcott (knee), Serge Gnabry (knee), Nacho Monreal (back), Yaya Sanogo (hamstring), Mathieu Debuchy (ankle), Olivier Giroud (fractured foot).

Galatasaray injuries and suspensions

Out: None.

The Gunners injury list is borderline impressive with so many regular starters unavailable due to various injuries. A big group of them, including Walcott, Gnabry, Monreal and Sanogo, are expected back after the next international break, but that won't help Arsene Wenger on Wednesday. Galatasaray are not reporting any injuries.

Match Date/Time: Wednesday 7:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET

Venue: Emirates Stadium, London, England

TV: FOX Sports 1, FOX Deportes, FOX Soccer Plus (U.S.), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.), Smart Spor (Turkey)

Online: FOX Soccer 2Go (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), SkyGo (U.K.)

Listings via LiveSoccerTV.

from SBNation.com - All Posts http://ift.tt/1v3COhZ