Arsenal-Galatasaray Statistical Preview

Champions League: Arsenal welcome Galatasaray to Emirates Stadium

Arsenal looking to kick-start their campaign against Galatasaray

Arsenal will go in search of their first UEFA Champions League points of the season when Galatasaray visit Emirates Stadium.

Arsene Wenger’s men endured a humbling opening to their Group D campaign as they went down 2-0 away at Borussia Dortmund on Matchday One.

A positive response to that reversal upon their return to home soil will be demanded by Wenger on Wednesday, as he celebrates 18 years in charge of the north London outfit.
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Arsenal’s record against Turkish opposition suggests that they should enter the contest in confident mood, with no defeats inside 90 minutes suffered in nine previous meetings.

In fact, they have conceded in just one of those fixtures - against Fenerbahce, back in 2008/09.

Wenger’s side have also already seen off one Super Lig opponent in this season’s competition, with Besiktas edged out 1-0 on aggregate in the qualifying play-offs.

Galatasaray will be hoping to buck the trend in midweek, but have yet to taste success on English soil.

On nine previous visits to Premier League grounds, they have managed just three draws and suffered six defeats.

Arsene Wenger will be without midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta against Galatasaray

They were held 1-1 by Anderlecht in their first Champions League outing of the current campaign, with Burak Yilmaz grabbing a stoppage-time leveller to snatch a share of the points.

Team news

Arsenal will be without midfielder Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) and captain Mikel Arteta (calf) for, but Jack Wilshere should be fit after shaking off an ankle problem to return to training.

Midfielder Abou Diaby is likely to be rested following a hip problem, while wingers Theo Walcott and Serge Gnabry (both knee) are in line to return after the international break, along with Spain defender Nacho Monreal (back) and striker Yaya Sanogo (hamstring).

Gary Neville on Arsenal's clash with Galatasaray

Full-back Mathieu Debuchy (ankle) and France forward Olivier Giroud (fractured foot) are long-term absentees.

Galatasaray manager Cesare Prandelli has no injury or suspensions concerns to contend with and has urged his side to be "brave and courageous" at the Emirates.

He said: "We should be running enough to close all of the gaps and we should play our own game. We will make sure whenever we lose the ball, we will get it back quicker.

"We have to be brave, to be courageous and make sure we play our own style."

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