Preview: Anderlecht vs. Arsenal

There have been mixed emotions for those of an Arsenal persuasion in the Champions League so far this season.

The Gunners opened up their campaign with a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Borussia Dortmund, but they responded last time out thanks in part to Danny Welbeck, who scored a hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Galatasaray.

The victory over the Turkish outfit did come at a cost, though, as far as Wednesday's trip to Anderlecht is concerned. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was red carded and so he will be suspended for the encounter in Belgium. Ordinarily, David Ospina would come into the starting lineup, but the summer signing is injured so rookie Emiliano Martinez will come in to fill the void.

Elsewhere, Aaron Ramsey returned to action at the weekend and could start, while there may also be a place for Theo Walcott among the substitutes. The England international has been out of action since January with a cruciate knee ligament injury, but he recently turned out for the club's development side.

Defensively, manager Arsene Wenger has an injury concern over Laurent Koscielny, but Calum Chambers will be available having seen out a domestic one-match suspension.

As for hosting Anderlecht, they will be without French midfielder Fabrice N'Sakala because of a knee injury. There is better news where former Portsmouth defender Anthony Vanden Borre is concerned, though. The full-back tore his calf muscle at the World Cup, but he should be available for this clash.

The Gunners have visited Belgium on three occasions and have won twice. Their one defeat came at the hands of KFC Winterslag in the second round of the UEFA Cup back in 1981.

In total, Anderlecht have taken on English sides 28 times, but have only won six of those matches.

Recent form

Anderlecht: WWWLDD

Arsenal: WLDWLD

Possible starting lineups

Anderlecht: Proto; Vanden Borre, Mbemba, Heylen, Deschacht; Defour, Tielemans; Najar, Praet, Suarez; Mitrovic

Arsenal: Martinez; Monreal, Mertesacker, Chambers, Gibbs; Flamini, Ramsey, Wilshere; Sanchez, Cazorla; Welbeck

Sports Mole says: 1-2