Buzzing all the way to France: Montpellier HSC vs. Arsenal FC Match Preview

Diaby skips past Coquelin in training, while Jenkinson looks on, ensorcelled.

I hate it when Arsenal lose: For obvious reasons and also for the fact that the better part of the rest of my day is spent miserably. I also love/hate it when Arsenal win: Love it for obvious reasons and for the ‘buzzing’, then hate for the ‘buzzing’ – the buzzing that make me spend the better part of the next two days reading all sorts of match reports on the win, tactical reviews and analyses, how excellent the boys were and how brilliant Wenger is. Yes, I hate and love it because, let me put it this way, I’ll be buzzing for days whenever Arsenal win. What is the meaning of buzzing? Well, ask Jack Wilshere who I picked it up from.

So here I am, still buzzing about that magnificent 6-1 thumping of Southampton as we head to France to take on the Ligue 1 champion, Montpellier HSC, in the first game of our 2012/2013 champions league campaign. Apparently the French champions have started their season in poor form, winning just one of their five games and losing three. They sit in the 16^th position, just two spots above relegation zone. Nevertheless we shouldn’t expect this to be a walk in the park for Arsenal, and I’m sure their players will be up and ready to come out strongly in their first champions league campaign. They aren’t the Ligue 1 champions for nothing, and the fact that we got their highest goal scorer from the previous season will add an extra spice to the game.

Wenger also mentioned the fact that he’s had some exciting battles with René Girard – their manager, and that he – Arsene – expects a very tough game from the French side. I should also note at this point that Arsene Wenger will not be by the touchline, he will be serving his customary 3-match UEFA ban for God-knows-what! For trying to get an answer from the inept referee who officiated our last champions league game last season against AC Milan I suppose. Is there any justice in this world?

Well, that is all I know about Montpellier. It’s really late in the night and I’m too lazy to consult my always faithful friends: Google and Wikipedia. Let’s move on to what we know about tomorrow:

Szczesny is out of the squad due to an ankle injury, so Vito Mannone gets another chance to put up a solid display and show he is formidable competition for the Polish youngster. Mannone will be deputized by James Shea from the reserves since Fabianski is also out injured. As usual. Diaby is back in the squad and expected to start, the boss actually said he could have played on Saturday but as we all saw, there was no need, so I expect the Frenchman to pick up from where he left. Other than those, there isn’t any surprise in the 18-man squad named to face Montpellier. I for one am not so surprised Arshavin and Chamakh didn’t make the trip.

Choosing the starting XI is tricky: should some influential players be rested? How much change is too much? Bar any pre-match injury, we should expect to see Koscieny start tomorrow, Santos could get in the action from the beginning and I won’t be surprised to see Giroud start but I feel the boss could leave him on the bench. Ramsey is another player who I feel deserves a start, he did pretty well when he came in last Saturday to set up Gervinho’s second goal. Shame he didn’t score that goal, would have loved to put the Aaron – reluctant angel of death theory to rest.

Well, Arsene knows best so I guess there could be one or two surprises in the starting line-up but I will go ahead and take a guess with mine anyway:

Mannone

Jenkinson Koscielny Vermaelen Santos

Diaby Arteta

Ramsey

Walcott Giroud Gervinho

This set-up looks good enough to get a win, although Wenger could play it safe and stick with Cazorla and Podolski to start our champions league campaign with a sure victory.

That’s all for now, folks. Here is to another fine display by the gunners and three points in the kitty.

UTA!

PS: Funny of the day: Sebastien Squillaci played with the U-21 yesterday, and they promptly got their first draw of the season, after winning the first three. Make of that what you will. Actually, there is nothing to be made of that.

@HexyDre is on Twitter.