Arsenal Vs Anderlecht: Wenger's Birthday Gift In The Offing?

Happy Birthday Wenger!!! 65 years ago, an Arsenal Legend was born and weeks ago we celebrated the Legend's, contribution to the Mighty Gunners, for the past eighteen years, since he made his bow at Arsenal in 1996.

Today the Gunners will be back in European action again after a prolonged three week break, following the infamous 'boring' international breaks that every club fan disputes due to the numerous injury cases that always come  along with it.

Lucky for Arsenal, we had enough on our injury plate that we couldn't afford to send out our sharp troops to pick what karma loves giving us...fresh long term injuries.

After a bad start to this year's campaign with a 2-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund, Wenger's men picked themselves up, with a resounding 4-1 demolition of Galatasaray. Wenger termed the result as satisfying  but which cost us a couple of important players.

Szczesny picked a straight red card and it's the reason why every gunner, the defenders to be accurate, want to put up a discipline display at the heart of our defence.

Szczesny who will be serving his first suspension game tonight, gives way for the 22 year old Emiliano Martinez. The young Argentine rookie has only managed to play two competitive games for the Gunners, the last time coming when he shipped in five goals in Arsenal's ridiculous 7-5 win against Reading in 2012.

Martinez will be making his Champions League bow after summer signing, David Ospina was ruled out for up to 3 months with a knee injury.

What's more worrying is that the custodian has played only twice for the last two years, and that he will be deputized by a 19 year old Josh Vickers.

The question is; will the gunners repeat Galatasaray's feat and make it a HAPPY birthday for the manager, something they've quite failed for a while.?

The answer is just a few hours away when the boys take to the field against Anderlecht. The Belgian outfit are considered an easy bump for the Londoners despite them being unbeaten in their last 11 league games; But a slight loss of concentration will definitely attract criticism from pundits and fans alike.

Therefore, despite Arsenal's lengthy injury list, the manager has no choice but field his strongest possible lineup with a relatively easy fixture on the horizon. Ramsey and Wilshere trained yesterday ahead of their trip to Belgium, something which definitely served as a boost for the club. Theo walcott is obviously not match fit after the England international made his long awaited comeback in Arsenal's U21's last week.

 Wenger confirmed that Chambers will be back in the squad and the manager will be banking on his fresh legs after he sat out Saturday's game due to a suspension.
 He is expected to go straight into the team and probably partner up with Mertesacker at Centre back in case the manager sticks with Bellerin on the right flank.

I will be shocked if my team won't walk away with a convincing win and cleen sheat to mark Martinez's Champions League debut in style.

Sanchez who scored before assisting Welbeck's last minute goal against Hull on Saturday, will look to keep his fierce form running after the Chilean hit six goals in his 12 appearances for the club.

Welbeck who struck a hat trick the last time Arsenal played in the competition, could as well add up to his five goal tally for his new club by enjoying an easy night in Belgium, and hopefully won't forget his match ball again, should he score another hat trick. 

 COME ON YOU GUNNERS! Let's put the icing on Wenger's birthday cake with a superb win!!!

Alexis Sanchez stats (In all competitions) for Arsenal:
Games: 9
Minutes: 662
Goals: 6
Assists: 3
Chances Created: 17
Key Passes: 14

 My predicted lineup: 

Martinez,Bellerin,Mertesacker,Chambers,Gibbs.

                        Flamini


Sanchez,Cazorla,Wilshere,Chamberlain


                       Welbeck


Subs: Podolski,Ramsey,Rosicky.


@bryoshavin