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Whatever happens
elsewhere, the Gunners just need a victory today to guarantee progress
into the next round of the UEFA Champions League. After scoring goals
for fun in the first three matches, Arsenal lost two consecutive games
to Shakhtar Donetsk and SC Braga leaving the London club side in need
of a victory over Partizan today.

Arsenal coach,
Arsene Wenger, said, “That will be a massive game for us. We know that
we will be under pressure to deliver on the night but we will deliver.
‘I’m confident we will deliver the requested performance and the
qualification.”

A new talisman

In the absence of
Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri has taken up the mantle of talisman for
Arsenal and he delivered two world class goals against Fulham at the
weekend to send the Gunners top of the English Premier League (EPL).

The French man has
now scored 11 goals in all competitions playing from the right wing
where he is given freedom to come into the penalty area. His composure,
especially with the two goals against Fulham showed that the extra
training he under took after missing out of France’s team to the World
Cup is now paying off. On the back of the good performances, Arsenal
are now preparing to move Nasri into the same pay-bracket as Robin Van
Persie, Andrei Arshavin, and captain Cesc Fabregas by offering him a
new £80,000-a-week contract. The French man’s current contract runs out
in 2012.

Even with the talisman in his team, Wenger is expecting a tough match against the Czechs.

“For a long part of
the game it was a difficult game and on the information I have from
Partizan, they did that to every single team.

“I have not counted it out but I must say that for me, Shakhtar Donetsk are favourites to deliver at least a draw at home.

The most important
thing is to qualify now and let’s hope we can do it. You never know but
you want to win the game,” Wenger said.

Arsenal’s next match in the EPL is away at Old Trafford against Manchester United on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Braga
have to beat Shakhtar by at least three goals to be certain of
progress, while a smaller win will be enough if Arsenal fail to win
against Partizan. A draw against Shakhtar will only suffice if Partizan
beat Arsenal.

Drogba anticipates heroes’ welcome in France

In an
inconsequential game, Chelsea, already through as group leaders will be
using a bulk of their back-up squad against Marseille. The highlight of
the game will be the return of Marseille’s favourite son, Didier Drogba
to the Velodrome. Didier Drogba spent just one season at the Stade
Velodrome but in that short time, he became the darling of Marseille’s
supporters.

Marseille are
already confirmed as runners-up, but have pride to play for under a
former Chelsea player, Didier Deschamps, while the Blues are chasing a
record of becoming the only team that won all its group stage matches.
When Chelsea file out against the French champions this evening, the
Cote d’Ivoire striker expects a loud ovation from the terraces. Drogba
told L’Equipe, “I played a year in Marseille, but the feeling among the
fans, the city and me is unbelievable.”

He scored 32 goals in 55 games for the Stade Velodrome club, and led Marseille to the 2004UEFA Cup final.

Though Chelsea are
on a bad run in the Premiership, having not won in six consecutive
matches they have been enjoying better times in Europe. Their focus
though will be on the Sunday match against London rivals, Tottenham.

John Terry is
included in the squad for today’s match and should strengthen the
Blues’ defence following news that Alex will be out for six weeks with
a knee injury.

Marseille will be
without Stephane Mbia, who is suspended, while French national team
striker, Andre-Pierre Gignac is in doubt to play because of a thigh
injury. Chelsea still have Frank Lampard missing, but Coach Carlo
Ancelotti has hinted of Lampard’s potential return for their league
clash against Spurs on Sunday.

Other matches

Bayern Munich are
already through to the next round, while Roma and Basel are set to
battle it out for second spot. Jose Mourinho has had his penalty pruned
to a one match suspension from the bench – he will not be in the dug
out as Real Madrid host Auxerre with the French side aiming for a
Europa League place. Ajax also travel to the San Siro with the Europa
League place in mind, without Martin Jol, who resigned from his job
yesterday.