Last time Olivier Giroud played against his former club Montpellier, he did not have one of his best games. But then the French international striker was just bedding himself in to life at Arsenal.
Come Wednesday, an in-form Giroud and a seemingly buoyant Arsenal will look to seal progress into the next round with a win over Montpellier. If Schalke beat Olympiakos in Germany and Arsenal get the better of the French champions, both the winning teams will qualify, and that is exactly what Arsene Wenger and Schalke manager Huub Stevens will be aiming for.
Arsenal had looked pedestrian in the last few weeks, before catching fire against their biggest rivals Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend, although the Gunners were no doubt aided by having to play only against ten men for much of the game.
Having said that though, a win against Spurs is sure to give Arsene Wenger's side the confidence that they were sorely lacking after their capitulation at Norwich and subsequent losses to Schalke and Manchester United.
Arsenal are a much better side than what they have shown on the pitch this season - that is undoubted. What is the worrying factor, though, is the lack of ability or wherewithal to come from the brink of defeats and pull off victories - or even hold on to a lead with authority.
These all might sound like the old failings of Arsenal over the past seven years or so, but the fact of the matter is there is much more of a freshness to this Arsenal lineup, and also experience. Winning mentalities can only be cultivated through success; therefore a successful run of games is just what the doctor might have ordered for the Gunners.
Arsenal need to go on a winning run, both in Europe and in the Premier League - the Spurs win will no doubt give them confidence, and an authoritative game against Montpellier should be the next step.
Arsenal are second in Group B with seven points from four matches, after starting the campaign with two successive wins. Schalke lead the table on eight points, while Olympiakos are third on six points. Montpellier are bottom, having picked up just a single point from their four outings.
All signs point to a victory for the home side, and this Arsenal team's true color and character will be judged based on the performance.
Team News: Theo Walcott is ruled out for the Gunners with a shoulder problem he picked up against Spurs, while Andre Santos is also out. However, Gervinho and Kieran Gibbs are available after overcoming their injuries.
For Montpellier, Hilton, John Utaka, Benjamin Stambouli and Karim Ait-Fana missed the weekend's game and are doubtful.
Expected lineups: Arsenal: Szczesny; Gibbs, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Sagna; Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski, Giroud.
Montpellier: Jourdren; El Kaoutari, Yanga-Mbiwa, Congre, Bedimo; Camara, Estrada, Saihi, Mounier, Belhanda; Charbonnier.
Prediction: 2-0 to Arsenal
