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Arsenal will be hoping to secure qualification into the knockout stages of the Champions League when they welcome Standard Liege to the Emirates stadium on Tuesday evening. Avoiding defeat against Liège will guarantee Arsenal's passage to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

In their last outing in this competition, the Londoners enjoyed a convincing victory against AZ Alkmaar to cement their position as group leaders. Skipper Cesc Fàbregas scored twice in a 4-1 win with Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby also on target for the Gunners. The same night Standard's first win in the competition, at home to Olympiacos, lifted them off the foot of the table and put them on four points. László Bölöni's side were indebt ed to Dieudonné Mbokani's strike after 31 minutes and Milan Jovanović's late header.

The Gunners go into this game on the back of a disappointing result in the Premier League. Wenger's side lost away at Sunderland on Saturday and will be looking to get back to winning ways. That loss halted a 13-match unbeaten run in all competitions, with the Gunners failing to score for the first time this term in their 20th outing. The north London club had not lost in seven league games prior to their trip to Sunderland, taking 19 points from a possible 21 since a 4-2 reverse at Manchester City FC on 12 September. Arsenal missed their top scorer Robin van Persie severely in that match, and will be without the Dutchman again in midweek after he suffered an ankle injury while on international duty. Arsenal will be missing some serious height from set plays in this match with Abou Diaby ruled out with a calf problem and Nicklas Bendtner also out with a groin strain. But the pacy duo of Theo Walcott and Carlos Vela could be involved after recently making recoveries from knee injuries.

In all likelihood Arsene Wenger will play with Eduardo as the lone striker in what has become his favoured 4-3-3 formation this season. The Croatian will have ample support with the likes of Fabregas, Nasri and Arshavin around. Arsenal's back four has been very stable this season with Thomas Vermealen and William Gallas forming a solid partnership in the centre and Bacary Sagna playing at right back. With the injury to both Gael Clichy and Kieran Gibbs, Armand Traore can once again be expected to deputise at left back like he did over the weekend.

Like Arsenal, Standard Liege also tasted defeat in their league game against KAA Gent on Saturday. Liege would still be without Belgian international Steven Defour who is out with a long term foot injury and Igor De Camargo who is nursing a broken toe. But they will be pinning their hopes on Milan Jovanovic continuing his good run in front of goal. The Serbian striker has already scored 11 goals in all competitions this season with 2 of them coming in the Champions League. Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez and Axel Witsel will have the responsibility of keeping the supremely talented Arsenal midfield at bay while at the same time trying to release the likes of Jovanovic on counter attacks.

The reverse fixture between these two sides on Matchday 1 was an entertaining affair with Arsenal winning 3-2 after having gone 2-0 behind very early on in the contest. Goals from Eliaquim Mangala and Jovanovic had given Liege a solid lead before Bendtner, Vermaelen and Eduardo secured the away win for Arsenal at a very crucial stage in their season.

Although a draw is good enough for Arsenal, Arsene Wenger's philosophy will make sure that his team plays to win, which they should do considering the superior quality in their squad. But on the other hand, a victory for Liege will be a huge boost for their qualification hopes. Hence, with both sides playing for the three points we should be in for an exciting game.

Lilkely Teams:

Arsenal: Almunia; Sagna, Vermaelen, Gallas, Traoré; Song, Ramsey, Fàbregas; Arshavin, Eduardo, Nasri.
Standard Liege: Bolat; Camozzato, Felipe, Mulemo; Dalmat, Carcela-González, Mangala, Witsel, Cyriac; Mbokani, Jovanović.

Form Guide:

Arsenal (P - 5, W - 3, D - 1, L - 1)

West Ham United 2-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
Arsenal 3-0 Tottenham
Wolves 1-4 Arsenal
Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal

Standard Liege (P - 5, W - 2, D - 2, L - 1)

Standard Liege 1-1 SV Zulte Waregem
Standard Liege 2-1 K. Lierse SK
R. Excelsior Mouscron 0-0 Standard Liege
Standara Liege 3-1 Club Brugge
KAA Gent 2-1 Standara Liege

Did you know?
The Gunners are yet to score in the first 15 minutes of any game this season.

File Photograph copyright: Ryu Voelkel