Fenerbahce vs Arsenal: Preview and Live Score

Arsenal is going to take on Turkish giant Fenerbahce away at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Istanbul on Tuesday (21 October 2008) in a tricky Group G Champions League clash. This is an important match for both sides for different reasons. Arsenal will be looking to seal a victory in order to hold on to the top place of the Group E point table, while for Fernerbahce, this is a very good chance to come back in the race of round of 16 and a victory against Arsenal could be a real confidence-booster for the struggling Fenerbahce.

Match: Fenerbahce vs Arsenal; Champions League 2008-2009, Gropu G

Date: 21 October 2008, Tuesday

Venue: Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Istanbul

Kick off: 19:45 BST (British Standard Time)

Arsenal has gotten off to a mediocre start to their Champions League campaign this season with a 1-1 draw away at Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine. Arsenal outclassed FC Porto 4-0 at home in their second group match in Champions League thanks to excellent performance from Robin Van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor. So, Arsenal amassed 4 points from 2 matches and currently leads the Group E point table. This is pretty much satisfactory performance from the Gunners.

The main cause of concern for Arsenal has been their inconsistent form in English premier league. They have got a mixed start to their domestic season. Arsenal has some resounding victories as well as defeats to the teams like Fulham and Hull City so far this season. Their most recent setback came when they were beaten by newly promoted Hull City 2-1 at home followed by a disappointing 1-1 draw at Sunderland before the international break. Last weekend, Arsenal pulled off a 3-1 victory over Everton after coming from back. Arsenal currently stands 4^th in the league table with 16 points from 8 matches.

Like Champions League, Fenerbahce has been in a poor run in domestic league too. Last season they finished second after Galatasaray in Turkish Super League. However, they are currently at the 10^th position of the league table this season. Fenerbahce has lost 4 out of 7 matches so far in this season’s Super League and has only 9 points to their credit. It is definitely a disappointing performance for the runners up team of the previous season. Fenerbahce coach Luis Aragones has been facing huge criticism and if Fenerbahce’s struggling form does not improve this season, then the former coach of Spain national team might be seen the exit door at the end of the season. In fact, there are many who have already started calling for sacking Aragones. So, there is no doubt, the coach is now feeling the hot water under his feet and if his team suffer another setback on Tuesday at home, it would only fuel up the claim.

Fenerbahce defeated struggling Kocaelispor on the road thanks to an injury time goal from Senturk. The victory must have given some confidence to Luis Aragones’s boys who know it very well that another defeat in the Europe would put their hope of progressing to the round of 16 in jeopardy. However, Fenerbahce players can take inspiration from their formidable home record of previous seasons and can energize themselves ahead of the showdown against Arsenal.

Arsenal has been an unpredictable side with a bunch of talented and skilled players who have defiance and confidence in them, but sometimes they lose their rhythm and suffer heavy setbacks, even when they are at their prime form. They lost games when they were in good form and playing excellently well. However, Arsenal has sealed a confidence booster victory over Everton last weekend. So, Arsenal players are expected to come out full of confidence against Fenerbahce.

Another problem that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is now facing is injury. Arsenal’s treatment room is getting crowded these days with a number of key players missing action for Arsenal. Arsene Wenger will miss a number of key players including Captain William Gallas for the Champions league tie with Fenerbahce. Gallas missed Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Everton at the weekend due to injury that he picked up playing for France last week. Fellow Frenchman and defender Bacary Sagna also picked up an injury that kept him out of the Everton match and he will remain sidelined too for the upcoming match against Fenerbahce. However, Samir Nasri, Nicklas Bendtner and Johan Djourou are expected to be fit for the trip to Istanbul. Fenerbahce might not get the service of injured Gokhan Gonul for the clash with Arsenal.

Online Live Score and Updates

Here, I am giving some names of online live score and update website from where you can get the live score and updates of the match:

Live Score

Goalzz

Live Football Scores

Goal.com

Footie Scorez

I think, it is going to be an exciting match. I do not want to pick anyone as favorite, but I predict a hard-fought, entertaining match on Tuesday between Arsenal and Fenerbahce.