The Gunners begin their Group H Champions League campaign against the Belgian champions who, despite winning back-to-back titles, aren’t currently at full tilt.Arsenal have travelled to Liege without first team regulars, Maunel Almunia, Robin van Persie and Denilson. Samir Nasri, Andrey Arshavin, Lukasz Fabianski, Johan Djourou and Carlos Vela are all still unavailable through injury. Theo Walcott has resumed training but hasn’t been included in the 18-man travelling party. It means a Champions League outing for Arsenal youngster Sanchez Watt and goalkeeper Vito Mannone. For Liege, Steven Defour sustained a broken bone in his foot during Saturday’s 3-0 win over KV Mechelen and he will be sidelined for six weeks.Alex Witsel is also absent after being suspended for an incredible 11 games following a terrible challenge on Anderlecht’s Marcin Wasilewski, which resulted in a broken leg for the Polish international and subsequent death threats for Witsel.However, midfielder Wilfried Dalmat and striker Igor De Camargo are expected to shake off respective ankle and leg injuries in time to face Arsene Wenger’s boys.There is no doubt that striker Milan Jovanovic, who has scored 40 goals in 90 games for Liege, will be a huge threat but Standard will be without two of their more influential players.Liege have drawn four of their first six league games and are currently fifth in the league table but knocked Everton out of the UEFA Cup last year and pushed Liverpool all the way in the Champions League third qualifying round.With trips to AZ Alkmaar and Olympiakos to come, this is a tricky group for Arsenal and a revitalized Standard Liege have won the Belgian League for the past two seasons after a 25-year hiatus with Laszlo Boloni enjoying a successful first term in charge last time out.Interesting Stat: Arsenal and Liege share the record for the longest uninterrupted period in top flight football in England and Belgium respectively.Powered by: GiveMeFootball.com, the
latest football news
