Arsenal welcome Basel to the Emirates Stadium for their second Champions League group A game on Wednesday (28 September).

Where to watch live

Kick-off is set for 7.45pm BST. Live coverage of the game will be on BT Sport Europe.

Overview

Arsenal will be keen to get their first three points in the Champions League group stage when Basel visit the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. The Gunners drew their first game of the campaign against PSG at Parc des Princes during matchday 1.

Arsene Wenger is hoping his team can continue their momentum from the Premier League which has seen them win four games on the trot including a convincing 3-0 win over Chelsea in their most recent encounter. The Frenchman, however, is aware of Basel's record against English teams in England, which has seen them beat Manchester United, Chelsea and force a draw with Liverpool in recent seasons.

The north London club will be without Olivier Giroud for the visit of the Swiss club with the striker facing a one-game suspension after he was sent off for a second bookable offence in the final minutes of the game against the Ligue 1 champions. Francis Coquelin will also be absent after picking up a knee injury during the win against the Blues on Saturday (24 September).

Granit Xhaka and Taulant Xhaka
Granit Xhaka and older brother Taulant Xhaka will be on opposite sides when Arsenal take on Basel in the Champions League Getty

Urs Fischer's side are flying in their domestic league and are top of the table with second placed Young Boys a massive 13 points behind after just 9 games this season. Basel have a 100% win record thus far and have scored 29 goals while conceding just seven.

The Swiss club are likely to pose a massive threat to Arsenal when they face each other and could pull off yet another upset win like they have in recent years against Chelsea and Manchester United. There will be a familiar face in Basel's lineup on Wednesday as Granit Xhaka will come up against older brother Taulant Xhaka, who is a regular for his club and will be looking to get one over his younger sibling.

What managers say

Arsene Wenger: It's our target [to top the group] but the truth is on the pitch. Let's show that we can go from good game to good game and put the effort in in every single game. That's what it is about.

In recent years we always got out of the group stage. Last year we made it difficult for ourselves and we have learned as well that in the group stage it's not only important to qualify but, if possible, top the group. It gives you more chance to go through after.

Urs Fischer: We're more than happy with Tomáš Vaclík. He's got everything a modern goalkeeper needs. I hope he'll stay with us for a long time but it's obvious that at some point he'll be moving to one of the big leagues.

We need to focus on our own game. We've got some decent results against English clubs in recent years and that gives us confidence. Arsenal are in good form and they usually dictate the play, even against PSG they did. But every situation has a solution and tomorrow is no different.

Betting Odds (Betfair)

  • Arsenal Win:2/7
  • Draw:9/2
  • BaselWin:9

Team News

Arsenal

Possible XI:Ospina; Bellerín, Koscielny, Mustafi, Monreal; Xhaka, Cazorla; Walcott, Özil, Iwobi; Alexis Sánchez.

Basel

Possible XI:Vaclík; Lang, Suchý, Balanta, Traoré; Xhaka, Zuffi; Bjarnason, Delgado, Steffen; Šporar.

Champions League Arsene Wenger