Basel v Arsenal: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Monday, December 5, 2016
Article summary
"We're going to have to be at our best," said Urs Fischer ahead of the visit of Arsenal, whose manager Arsène Wenger is relaxed about the prospect of finishing second.
Article top media content
Article body
- Urs Fischer knows Basel "have to be at our best" to finish third
- Already qualified Arsenal must eclipse Paris's result against Ludogorets to top group
- Arsène Wenger: "Finishing second doesn't look like a problem"
- Basel need to better what Ludogorets do in French capital to come third
- Swiss side's 19-game domestic unbeaten run ended at weekend
Possible line-ups
Basel: Vaclík; Lang, Suchý, Balanta, Traoré; Xhaka, Zuffi; Bjarnason, Delgado, Steffen; Doumbia.
Out: Šporar (thigh)
Misses next match if booked: Suchý
Arsenal: Ospina; Gabriel, Koscielny, Mustafi, Gibbs; Elneny, Xhaka; Ramsey, Özil, Alexis Sánchez; Giroud.
Out: Coquelin (suspended), Debuchy (hamstring), Bellerín (ankle), Cazorla (ankle), Mertesacker (knee), Welbeck (knee)
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
Urs Fischer, Basel coach
I think we've played well so far but of course if we want to get anything from this game we're going to have to be at our best. We certainly can't make the same kind of mistakes we made at the weekend. If we can play at our best we can get a result, but we need a bit of luck too.
I think Arsenal will put out their best side. They are very efficient. I watched them again at the weekend; they were always in control and then really turned it on. They're very dangerous going forward. We need a point and I'm sure PSG will do everything they can to win the group in the other game.
Arsène Wenger, Arsenal manager
We want to win the game, do our job, and you never know what happens in Paris. It doesn't really look like a problem finishing second. We'll see what happens with the final results, but it looks quite even. The advantage of finishing first is that you play the second leg at home, and in extra time you play an extra 30 minutes at home.
We have a united squad, and sometimes I think that when a guy is doing well it's more dangerous to stop him than keep him going. I haven't decided on my team yet – I have another 24 hours to decide – but my main priority is to win.
Weekend results
Young Boys 3-1 Basel (Hoarau 6 51, Mbabu 79; Delgado 66pen)
Basel's 19-match unbeaten run in domestic competition came to a halt despite their opponents going down to ten men in the first half.
West Ham 1-5 Arsenal (Carroll 83; Özil 24, Alexis Sánchez 72 80 86, Oxlade-Chamberlain 84)
Alexis Sánchez has had a hand in 24 goals in his last 24 Premier League appearances (18 goals, six assists) following this hat-trick. The Gunners remain three points off the Premier League summit.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Basel: LWDWWL
Arsenal: WLWDDD
Reporter's view: Ian Holyman (UEFAcomIanH)
Confidence among Fischer's men may not be at its zenith; they suffered their first league defeat of the season at the weekend and saw the awesome display Arsenal put on at West Ham. Still, the hosts boast a fine record against English clubs at St. Jakob-Park where the last three Premier League visitors for a UEFA Champions League game – namely Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool – have all tasted defeat. Arsenal will take Basel lightly at their peril.
Did you know?
Granit Xhaka started his career at Basel and landed two Swiss Super League titles before joining Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2012. He signed for Arsenal this summer. Read more in our extensive match background.