Arsenal – Schalke 24.10.2012

Arsenal and Schalke are on the first two positions in the group B and they are the main candidates for the knock-out stage.

At the moment Arsenal have six points, while Schalke four. I expect an interesting match at Emirats with at least three goals.

Arsenal both matches in Champions League were efficient. In the first round they won against Montpellier, while in the second won against Olympiakos.Just like Arsenal, Schalke also played two efficient matches.

Few words about the absentees. Arsene Wenger has number of sidelined players with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as latest injury victim. He joins Bacary Sagna, Theo Walcott, Laurent Koscielny and Abou Diaby on the injury list. Kieran Gibbs is rated as doubtful, while Jack Wilshere has recovered, even it is unlikely to feature on this match. Schalke coach Huub Stevens will be missing Julian Draxler and Kyriakos Papadopulous, while Christoph Metzelder is doubtful with a knee injury.

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I expect at least three goals here. Both teams like to play open and that is why there are goals on their matches. Arsenal will attack, no doubt about that. But Schalke players are full of confidence after the last Saturday’s victory over Borussia Dortmund in domestic Bundesliga. Arsenal conceded at least one goals on every of the last 8 official matches. That is why I believe Over 2.5 is a good option here.