Marseille against Arsenal

Gervinho cuts inside along the edge of the box. He slips a reveres pass through the OM defence for Van Persie, who shoots from an angle but can't beat Mandanda at his near post.

Arteta refuses to pass to Van Persie who is free on the edge of the box. He instead passes out wide so yet another pointless cross can be cleared by the OM defence.

Diawara plays a poor pass inside to N'Koulou. Ramsey races to get to the ball but N'Koulou is just a bit too quick and gets there first.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Cheyrou goes off and is repalced by defensive midfielder Kabore. Looks like OM are happy with the draw.

It's all very messy in midfield.

Ramsey is caught offside as an Arsenal attack breaks down.

Gervinho attempts to create something on the right flank. He beats Morel but then runs into the next defender.

Valbuena leaves Mertesacker with twisted blood with some tricky wing play, but his final ball isn't a good one and Arsenal clear the ball from their penalty box.

Djourou hits a terrible back pass to Mertesacker, who does very well to block Gignac from getting to the ball.

In other news, OM have pink socks to go with their delightful orange kit.

You know that previous stat about Arsenal's crosses being woeful? Well add another aimless one from Djourou.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> And that's Arshavin's last contribution. He is replaced by Ramsey, who is making his return from injury.

Arshavin pops up on the right. He gets a bit of space to cross but hits the side netting.

Gignac fouls Mertesacker.

I have a 'goal' icon all lined up and ready to use too... if only either team would score... I'd settle for a shot on goal at this moment in time.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Djourou gets booked for winning the ball cleanly against Morel. Terrible decision by the ref.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> OM make another change. Amalfitano replaces Lucho.

<b>Stat Attack:</b> Arsenal have attempted 28 crosses against Marseille so far, yet not one has reached a team-mate.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Remy's work is done. OM make their first change and on comes France international Gignac.

It's all little too tame this half. At this rate Andre Santos isn't even going to get sent off.

Gervinho spent the last four years in French football with Lille so should know Marseille well.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Arsenal make another change. Gervinho replaces Walcott.

Arshavin has three players around him but slips a good pass through to Van Persie, who attempts to nutmeg his marker on the edge of the box and fails.

That is the first real moment of excitement in the second-half.

Walcott beats N'Koulou in the box but as he pulls his foot back to shoot N'Koulou recovers to make a last ditch tackle.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Jenkinson can't carry on, so Djourou replaces him.

Arshavin probes down the left flank, he passes to Song who gives the ball to Van Persie. The Dutch striker turns to shoot but scuffs his effort from the edge of the box.

Arsenal carry on with ten men and Walcott at right-back.

Jenkinson is down injured again.

Remy chips a lovely pass into the box and panic ensues as two players from each side try to get a touch. It's Song that eventually gets the ball clear for Arsenal.

Arteta does well to hold up Ayew until right-back Jenkinson gets back into position - he has spent most of the game in the OM half.

The final pass from both teams has been of a very poor standard.

Valbuena whips in a dangerous ball. Mertesacker heads clear. He has been excellent for the Gunners tonight.

The ref gives a freekick to OM after clash between Ayew and Arteta. It should have gone the other way really.

Remy controls the ball on the edge of the Arsenal box with a brilliant touch but Song makes an equally good tackle.

Andre Sanots breaks but has to wait for Van Persie to get back on side and then plays a terrible pass to the Dutchman.

Arshavin is definately more involved early in this second half.

Van Persie whips in a freekick towards Mertesacker but Diawara rises highest to head clear.

Andre Santos takes the freekick from the left flank but his effort is easily cleared by the first OM defender.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Arshavin must have been saving all his energy for the second-half. He races down the flank and is taken out by Diawara's shoulder.

Rosicky eventually crosses for Van Persie, but Mandanda claims the ball, as he has done for most of the night.

No changes for either time at the break. Arsenal are happy to just keep the ball at the moment.

Arsenal get the second-half underway with a misplaced pass that goes out for a throw-in.

<b>HT</b> Stat attack - OM's shots to goals ratio in the Champions League averages out at 5:1. They have had five shots already. Goal imminent?

<b>HT</b> On the plus side for Arsenal, their normally dodgy defence has looked good... apart from Andre Santos who is almost certian to get sent off in the second-half.

<b>HT</b> Well it has been an even half with both sides enjoying short spells of domination but neither has been able to find the back of the net.

And that's the final action of the half as the ref blows his whistle.

From the resulting freekick Ayew goes in strongly on Szczesny. The ref gives a freekick.

Ayew crosses and Koscielny heads clear. As the ball drops Andre Santos handles it. He should get booked for that, a second yellow, but escapes.

Arsenal are happy to play the ball around in their own half.

Mandanda punches away yet another Arteta corenr but this time it falls to Van Persie. The Dutchman is running away from goal and his sliced shot misses the target by a mile.

Van Perise takes a short corner to Arshavin, whose cross is put behind for another corner.

Valbuena and Remy combine on the right but Koscielny heads clear when the cross eventually comes in.

Arsenal prod and probe with a good spell of possession but the OM defence holds firm.

The freekick comes to nought.

Diawara races forward from centre-back and passes to Valbuena, who cuts in from the flank and is fouled by Andre Santos. The Arsenal defender must be carefull as he has already been booked.

OM are on top now in a game that has really ebbed and flowed. End to end stuff.

Valbuena dinks in a quick cross. Lucho sticks out a boot but the midfielder's effort goes wide of the far post. Lucho could have done better with that.

Remy races at the Arsenal defence. He looks to have his man beaten but is tackled at the last moment.

Cesar Azpilicueta (or Cesar from now on) crosses from the left and it's Szczesny's turn to claim the ball.

Andre Santos races forward and wins a corner. Arteta takes it and once again Mandanda is quick to come off his line and deal with the danger.

A flash of brlliance there from Remy. Onr of the few time OM have displayed quality in the final third.

Remy nutmegs Mertesacker on the touchline and shoots. Jenkinson gets slight touch to Remy's shot and the ball goes wide of the far post.

Jenkinson is back on his feet and the game restarts.

Jenkinson is down holding his knee and the game stops so he can get some treatment. Arsenal don't have a replacement right-back.

Arsenal have been camped in OM's half for the past few minutes.

Walcott clips the ball past Morel on one side and runs past him on the other. Unfortunately his cross is woeful and hits the only defender stood in front of him.

Arshavin is eager for it now and sets Van Persie free with a great through-pass. But the Gunners overplay and the quick break becomes a slow one and then peters out to nothing.

Arshavin just touched the ball. That's it, but thought it was worth mentioning as I forgot he was playing.

Song takes too long on the ball and is tackled by Cheyrou, but OM's possession comes to nothing.

It was Van Perise's header that was cleared off the line earlier.

Arsenal are building up the pressure on OM.

Another corner to Arsenal. Arteta takes it. It's flicked on at the near post to Mertesacker (I think) whose header is cleared off the line.

Van Persie wins a corner off Cesar. Arteta takes it and Mandanda punches clear this time.

Mertesacker makes yet another good interception at the back for Arsenal. The German is having a great game.

Van Persie whips in corner and the OM keeper, Mandanda, comes out to collect the ball under pressure from Walcott.

Diarra flicks on a freekick but it goes straight to Szczesny.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Andre Santos bodychecks Valbuena and gets booked. Possibly a revenge tackle for the one on Arteta.

Arteta is taken out by Valbuena. Freekick.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> The TV replay shows it should have been a penalty and Ayew is booked for protesting.

Ayew and Morel combine down the left. The latter crosses and Jenkinson appears to handle the ball in the box... the ref waves away the appeals for a penalty.

Cheryou collects a throw-in just outside the box. He has his back to goal but swivels to shoot from distance. His effort dips, but not enough and goes over the bar with Szczesny back tracking.

Very even at the moment.

Walcott has space to cross on the right. He delivers a good ball, which Van Persie glances wide of the far post.

Valbuena clips a pass inside to Lucho, whose touch is poor and the ball runs away from him on the edge of the Arsenal box.

Morel chips the ball over the top of the Arsenal defence for Remy to chase but the forward is offside.

Andre Santos shows his pace to cover down the flank for Arsenal and wins a freekick to boot.

Slight mix up at the back for OM between Cheyrou and Diawara but no Arsenal player is there to take advantage.

The freekick goes straight into Szczesny's hands.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Song is pick-pocketed by Remy and is forced to bring the OM forward down. Freekick to OM 25-yards out and a yellow card for Song.

Song hits a long cross into the box for Arshavin but it's too high and hard. No danger for OM.

Jenkinson hoists the ball down the line for Walcott to chase and the winger wins a throw deep in OM territory.

Mertesacker with a nervous first touch that Jenkinson has to scamper after to clear.

Olympique Marseille (OM) get the game underway in what I'll call their orange strip, kicking from left to right.

Wenger looks like he is in first-class airline seating in the dug-out.

Oddly neither team seem to wearing a home strip. Arsenal are in their blue away kit and Marseille have some technicolour thid kit that's not very nice at all.

The atmosphere inside the Stade Vélodrome is cracking.

Both these teams are struggling a bit domestically. Marseille have only picked oup nine points from ten games in Ligue 1. Arsenal have ten from eight.

Marseille danger-man Andre-Pierre Gignac only makes the bench after making his return from a groin injury at the weekend.

Arsene Wenger will be back in the dugout after a two-match European ban and victory will put them top of the group.

Marseille's Loic Remy starts up front against the side that once courted him and will be eager to show what Arsenal missed out on.

Carl Jenkinson and Andres Santos start on either flank of Arsenal's defence and Andrei Arshavin gets a start in Marseille.

In the meantime, you can read <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/971283/arsene-wenger:-arsenal-are-a-happy-club?cc=5739" target="_blank">Arsene Wenger's comments about how Arsenal are a "happy club" despite the recent problems</a>.

Live commentary will appear here from 1945 BST.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Djourou gets booked for winning the ball cleanly against Morel. Terrible decision by the ref.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> OM make another change. Amalfitano replaces Lucho.

<b>Stat Attack:</b> Arsenal have attempted 28 crosses against Marseille so far, yet not one has reached a team-mate.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Remy's work is done. OM make their first change and on comes France international Gignac.

It's all little too tame this half. At this rate Andre Santos isn't even going to get sent off.

Gervinho spent the last four years in French football with Lille so should know Marseille well.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Arsenal make another change. Gervinho replaces Walcott.

Arshavin has three players around him but slips a good pass through to Van Persie, who attempts to nutmeg his marker on the edge of the box and fails.

That is the first real moment of excitement in the second-half.

Walcott beats N'Koulou in the box but as he pulls his foot back to shoot N'Koulou recovers to make a last ditch tackle.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Jenkinson can't carry on, so Djourou replaces him.

Arshavin probes down the left flank, he passes to Song who gives the ball to Van Persie. The Dutch striker turns to shoot but scuffs his effort from the edge of the box.

Arsenal carry on with ten men and Walcott at right-back.

Jenkinson is down injured again.

Remy chips a lovely pass into the box and panic ensues as two players from each side try to get a touch. It's Song that eventually gets the ball clear for Arsenal.

Arteta does well to hold up Ayew until right-back Jenkinson gets back into position - he has spent most of the game in the OM half.

The final pass from both teams has been of a very poor standard.

Valbuena whips in a dangerous ball. Mertesacker heads clear. He has been excellent for the Gunners tonight.

The ref gives a freekick to OM after clash between Ayew and Arteta. It should have gone the other way really.

Remy controls the ball on the edge of the Arsenal box with a brilliant touch but Song makes an equally good tackle.

Andre Sanots breaks but has to wait for Van Persie to get back on side and then plays a terrible pass to the Dutchman.

Arshavin is definately more involved early in this second half.

Van Persie whips in a freekick towards Mertesacker but Diawara rises highest to head clear.

Andre Santos takes the freekick from the left flank but his effort is easily cleared by the first OM defender.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Arshavin must have been saving all his energy for the second-half. He races down the flank and is taken out by Diawara's shoulder.

Rosicky eventually crosses for Van Persie, but Mandanda claims the ball, as he has done for most of the night.

No changes for either time at the break. Arsenal are happy to just keep the ball at the moment.

Arsenal get the second-half underway with a misplaced pass that goes out for a throw-in.

<b>HT</b> Stat attack - OM's shots to goals ratio in the Champions League averages out at 5:1. They have had five shots already. Goal imminent?

<b>HT</b> On the plus side for Arsenal, their normally dodgy defence has looked good... apart from Andre Santos who is almost certian to get sent off in the second-half.

<b>HT</b> Well it has been an even half with both sides enjoying short spells of domination but neither has been able to find the back of the net.

And that's the final action of the half as the ref blows his whistle.

From the resulting freekick Ayew goes in strongly on Szczesny. The ref gives a freekick.

Ayew crosses and Koscielny heads clear. As the ball drops Andre Santos handles it. He should get booked for that, a second yellow, but escapes.

Arsenal are happy to play the ball around in their own half.

Mandanda punches away yet another Arteta corenr but this time it falls to Van Persie. The Dutchman is running away from goal and his sliced shot misses the target by a mile.

Van Perise takes a short corner to Arshavin, whose cross is put behind for another corner.

Valbuena and Remy combine on the right but Koscielny heads clear when the cross eventually comes in.

Arsenal prod and probe with a good spell of possession but the OM defence holds firm.

The freekick comes to nought.

Diawara races forward from centre-back and passes to Valbuena, who cuts in from the flank and is fouled by Andre Santos. The Arsenal defender must be carefull as he has already been booked.

OM are on top now in a game that has really ebbed and flowed. End to end stuff.

Valbuena dinks in a quick cross. Lucho sticks out a boot but the midfielder's effort goes wide of the far post. Lucho could have done better with that.

Remy races at the Arsenal defence. He looks to have his man beaten but is tackled at the last moment.

Cesar Azpilicueta (or Cesar from now on) crosses from the left and it's Szczesny's turn to claim the ball.

Andre Santos races forward and wins a corner. Arteta takes it and once again Mandanda is quick to come off his line and deal with the danger.

A flash of brlliance there from Remy. Onr of the few time OM have displayed quality in the final third.

Remy nutmegs Mertesacker on the touchline and shoots. Jenkinson gets slight touch to Remy's shot and the ball goes wide of the far post.

Jenkinson is back on his feet and the game restarts.

Jenkinson is down holding his knee and the game stops so he can get some treatment. Arsenal don't have a replacement right-back.

Arsenal have been camped in OM's half for the past few minutes.

Walcott clips the ball past Morel on one side and runs past him on the other. Unfortunately his cross is woeful and hits the only defender stood in front of him.

Arshavin is eager for it now and sets Van Persie free with a great through-pass. But the Gunners overplay and the quick break becomes a slow one and then peters out to nothing.

Arshavin just touched the ball. That's it, but thought it was worth mentioning as I forgot he was playing.

Song takes too long on the ball and is tackled by Cheyrou, but OM's possession comes to nothing.

It was Van Perise's header that was cleared off the line earlier.

Arsenal are building up the pressure on OM.

Another corner to Arsenal. Arteta takes it. It's flicked on at the near post to Mertesacker (I think) whose header is cleared off the line.

Van Persie wins a corner off Cesar. Arteta takes it and Mandanda punches clear this time.

Mertesacker makes yet another good interception at the back for Arsenal. The German is having a great game.

Van Persie whips in corner and the OM keeper, Mandanda, comes out to collect the ball under pressure from Walcott.

Diarra flicks on a freekick but it goes straight to Szczesny.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Andre Santos bodychecks Valbuena and gets booked. Possibly a revenge tackle for the one on Arteta.

Arteta is taken out by Valbuena. Freekick.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> The TV replay shows it should have been a penalty and Ayew is booked for protesting.

Ayew and Morel combine down the left. The latter crosses and Jenkinson appears to handle the ball in the box... the ref waves away the appeals for a penalty.

Cheryou collects a throw-in just outside the box. He has his back to goal but swivels to shoot from distance. His effort dips, but not enough and goes over the bar with Szczesny back tracking.

Very even at the moment.

Walcott has space to cross on the right. He delivers a good ball, which Van Persie glances wide of the far post.

Valbuena clips a pass inside to Lucho, whose touch is poor and the ball runs away from him on the edge of the Arsenal box.

Morel chips the ball over the top of the Arsenal defence for Remy to chase but the forward is offside.

Andre Santos shows his pace to cover down the flank for Arsenal and wins a freekick to boot.

Slight mix up at the back for OM between Cheyrou and Diawara but no Arsenal player is there to take advantage.

The freekick goes straight into Szczesny's hands.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Song is pick-pocketed by Remy and is forced to bring the OM forward down. Freekick to OM 25-yards out and a yellow card for Song.

Song hits a long cross into the box for Arshavin but it's too high and hard. No danger for OM.

Jenkinson hoists the ball down the line for Walcott to chase and the winger wins a throw deep in OM territory.

Mertesacker with a nervous first touch that Jenkinson has to scamper after to clear.

Olympique Marseille (OM) get the game underway in what I'll call their orange strip, kicking from left to right.

Wenger looks like he is in first-class airline seating in the dug-out.

Oddly neither team seem to wearing a home strip. Arsenal are in their blue away kit and Marseille have some technicolour thid kit that's not very nice at all.

The atmosphere inside the Stade Vélodrome is cracking.

Both these teams are struggling a bit domestically. Marseille have only picked oup nine points from ten games in Ligue 1. Arsenal have ten from eight.

Marseille danger-man Andre-Pierre Gignac only makes the bench after making his return from a groin injury at the weekend.

Arsene Wenger will be back in the dugout after a two-match European ban and victory will put them top of the group.

Marseille's Loic Remy starts up front against the side that once courted him and will be eager to show what Arsenal missed out on.

Carl Jenkinson and Andres Santos start on either flank of Arsenal's defence and Andrei Arshavin gets a start in Marseille.

In the meantime, you can read <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/971283/arsene-wenger:-arsenal-are-a-happy-club?cc=5739" target="_blank">Arsene Wenger's comments about how Arsenal are a "happy club" despite the recent problems</a>.

Live commentary will appear here from 1945 BST.