UEFA Champions League 2013: How do the teams stack up?

Will Arsenal get out of their group, this time around?

Can Arsenal go through yet again?

Arsène Wenger’s remarkable record of not just qualifying for the group stage, but also getting out of them is unparalleled. For each of the last 13 seasons, Arsenal have managed to navigate a safe passage from the group stages, but that record will definitely be under threat this time around. Even with the deadline day acquisition of Ozil, the squad doesn’t inspire too much confidence and that might well turn out to be their undoing in the “Group of Death”.

Whilst last year’s runners up, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli look like they might well be their greatest threat, it would be foolish to discount Marseille, who they face on Wednesday at the Stade Vélodrome. With the squad already depleted by injuries, Wenger will be assessing his side’s chances after every encounter. And if they do go through, the resultant confidence boost might well propel both their domestic and European challenge.