Arsenal relying on home comforts

After two away defeats by a single goal Arsenal FC are grateful to tread home soil again on Tuesday against Panathinaikos FC as they look to boost their qualifying prospects in Group C of the UEFA Champions League.

Maximum points needed
The north London side's hopes of reaching the second group stage will depend largely on them achieving maximum points from the two home fixtures against teams above them in the table starting with Tuesday's visit from leaders Panathinaikos.

Karagounis header
Arsenal's defeat to a Giorgios Karagounis diving header in Athens on Matchday Three pointed up the problems they are encountering on their travels. It was their fourth 1-0 defeat in successive away games in the competition and the manner in which it arrived dismayed coach Arsène Wenger.

'Cheap goal'
"It was a cheap goal to give away," he said. "We have to defend better than that if we are to go through. Of course I'm worried about our away record but we aren't the only team conceding away goals in the Champions League."

Wright debut
After Athens, Arsenal came home and won 2-0 at Derby County FC on Wenger's fifth anniversary as the man in charge at Highbury. Goalkeeper Richard Wright made his debut as David Seaman was troubled by a shoulder injury which will keep him out for another two to three weeks. In addition Tony Adams has undergone an operation for a stress fracture of his right foot that is expected to sideline him until early December.

Campbell on song
With Martin Keown suspended for Saturday's visit to Southampton FC, the return of Sol Campbell after a hamstring injury was therefore timely. According to his manager the England defender had his best game for the club since the
summer move from Tottenham Hotspur FC as his team eased to another comfortable 2-0 victory.

Pires on target
Robert Pires scored the first while Thierry Henry later extended his scoring run to six in his last six FA Premiership appearances. It leaves Arsenal in second place in the table but all is not sweetness and light in north London with both Dennis Bergkamp and Ray Parlour expressing disquiet at a lack of first-team action.

No goals conceded
Panathinaikos currently lead the group with maximum points and have yet to concede a goal. It is the first time that they have won three Champions League games in succession, indeed before their victory away to FC Schalke 04 on Matchday One they had endured four successive away defeats.

Unbeaten in 13
However the Greek side's record in England does not augur well - only a single draw in five visits - while Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 13 European games at Highbury and have never lost to a Greek side at home.

Olisadebe hat-trick
Since the victory over Arsenal, Panathinaikos have beaten OFI Crete 5-1, with Polish international striker Emmanuel Olisadebe hitting a hat-trick. Last weekend however  they were somewhat less impressive as they visited Akratitos, who are participating in the top division for the first time in their history, and were left disappointed by a 0-0 draw.

No chances
"We deserved what we got," said coach Giannis Kyrastas afterwards. "I was not at all happy with my players' performance. In the second half, we operated with three forward and two midfielders who had been instructed to focus on attacking play. Yet we didn't create a single chance."

New contract
The idea had been to rest both Olisadebe and Paulo Sousa but they were pressed into action late on in an attempt to win the game. Highly-rated Danish defender Rene Henriksen is expected to sign a new contract with the club that will see him end his career in Athens.