UEFA Champions League Group B Preview

The biggest club competition in the world is back. The group stage draw concluded yesterday in the iconic city of Monaco. The qualifying clubs have kept their schedule tight. History will be created. Players will be immortalized.

GROUP B

Arsenal will clearly be favourites to win this group, though Schalke 04 will provide a stern test to the Gunners. Arsenal have the tendency to under perform away from home in the Champions League and the trips to Greece and France will not be a cakewalk as well. Schalke will be expected to make it to the Round of 16 but it will be interesting to see the game plan of French champions Montpellier Herault. Montpellier were a mid table team until Oliver Giroud and Co. took France by storm last season. Olympiacos have already beaten Arsenal last year and they too will have a huge say in the fight for the spots in the Round of 16.

1) Arsenal (England)

Arsenal will need to ramp up their firepower after losing their talismanic captain Robin Van Persie in the transfer window. The Gunners will face a stern test against Schalke but should beat Olympiacos and Montpellier. New signings Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud will have to step up to the platform and deliver for the Londoners. Arsenal must build their confidence from the start in order to have any chance of a fruitful season.

KEY PLAYER : Santi Cazorla

Santi Cazorla’s creativity will be key for Arsenal

Other key players : Lukas Podolski, Theo Walcott and Thomas Vermaelen

2) Schalke 04 (Germany)

Schalke were the surprise package of the 2011 UEFA Champions League. Although it is unlikely that they will make another semi-final appearance, Schalke will look to bring the Gunners to their knees. The Veltins Arena’s atmosphere will be crucial for Schalke as home games are a must win. Tricky away fixtures will be a huge obstacle for the Germans as they look to qualify for the Round of 16 again. They will be happy to keep last year’s top scorer Huntelaaar in their ranks.

KEY PLAYER: Klaas Jan Huntelaar

Can the Hunter replicate his Europa League form?

Other key players : Lewis Holtby, Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Julian Draxler

3) Olympiacos (Greece)

The record Greek champions will look to use team spirit to progress in a tricky group. Olympiacos lost iconic player Kevin Mirallas to Everton but will hope Paolo Machado and Rafik Djebbour will shoulder the goal-scoring duties. In a tough time for Greece, Olympiacos will look to win hearts and matches in the Champions League.

KEY PLAYER: Ariel Ibagaza

Ibagaza was instrumental in Olympiacos’ league triumph

Other key players : Rafik Djebbour, Paolo Machado and Giannis Maniatis

4) Montpellier Herault (France)

The French champions look a much weaker proposition without Oliver Giroud. It will be a strange encounter for Giroud when Arsenal face his former side. Montpellier will hope Karim Ait Fana and Anthony Mounier replicate last year’s form. Belhanda in particular is considered to be one of the brightest prospects of European football and Montpellier will be happy to keep him. Montpellier’s defence was extremely impressive last season but the Champions League is a whole new ball game.

KEY PLAYER : Younes Belhanda

Belhanda will have a big chance to prove his quality

Other key players : Mapou Yanga Mbiwa, Anthony Mounier and Karim Ait Fana