Montpellier vs Arsenal – Preview

Arsenal travel to France to take on Montpellier in their opening game in Group B of the Champions League. Wojciech Szczesny is injured again having come back from two games out against Southampton, only to make a mistake which lead to the Saints goal.  Vito Mannone takes his place in goal again just like he did for the games against Stoke and Liverpool. It has been a rise from obscurity for Mannone, who Wenger admitted was his fifth choice goalkeeper in the summer, but he has risen to number 2, with Lukasz Fabianski injured and Szczesny’s injuries have given him a chance to claim the number 1 shirt from him. James Shea is the backup goalkeeper due to all of the injuries in the position.

Abou Diaby is also in the squad having missed Saturday’s drubbing of Southampton with a hip injury.

Tomas Rosicky, Bacary Sagna, Emmanuel Frimpong and Jack Wilshere remain out of contention with injuries that have kept them out long-term.

Olivier Giroud is in the squad to face his former club. His goals helped lead Montpellier to the French title last season. It appears as though they miss him as Montpellier have struggled to cope with the challenge of regaining their crown and have made a sloppy start to the new campaign. However, they will be motivated tomorrow with thus being their first game in the competition.

Giroud could score his first goal for his new club against his old one.