Arsenal face a tough challenge when they take on German side Schalke 04 at the Emirates stadium in their Champions League group B clash.

Bet Victor offer the best value for an Arsenal win at 21/20 whilst Schalke are 3/1 with several bookmakers, if you fancy a tie the draw can be backed at 13/5 with Bet365.

Schalke 04 are certainly the in-form team in this match, sitting third in the Bundesliga having lost only one game in eight this season, whilst Arsenal find themselves in 9th place in the Premier League and are coming off the back of a shock defeat to Norwich and their 12th man Carrow Road.

Arsene Wenger’s men have made a good start to the Champions League however, winning both group games so far, however Schalke are breathing down their necks in 2nd place although they could only manage a 2-2 draw at home to Montpellier. This is a huge match for both sides as a win for Arsenal will surely see them top the group, and if Schalke manage to win at the Emirates they will have the advantage coming into the second half of the group stage.

One positive to come out of Saturdays game at Norwich for the Arsenal fan’s was the return of young midfielder Jack Wilshire, albeit on the bench. There were certainly more negatives than positives for the ‘Gooners’ however with yet more injuries and on Wednesday they will be without Oxlade-Chamberlain, Koscielny, Fabianski, Walcott, Gibbs, Diaby, Szcesnzy, Rosicky and Sagna (Sorry to any Arsenal fans for the detailed reminder). On a positive note however Lukas Podolski has had a very promising start to his Arsenal career, he can be backed at 6/1 with Stan James to score first.

In Schalke’s ranks is half English, half German, Evertonian and Germany under-21 captain Lewis Holtby who will play on English soil for the first time. Holtby has started the season extremely well and is Schalke’s joint top scorer with 3 goals, matching Klaas Jan Hunterlaar’s current haul. Holtby is a very tempting 6/1 with Coral to score anytime.

Considering the lack of form and injury problems that are currently plaguing Wenger’s Arsenal there is some fantastic value to be found with Schalke, and lack of value when it comes to an Arsenal win, therefore I’m going for Schalke to just get the edge in this one.

Schalke vs Arsenal Best Bets

Lewis Holtby to score anytime (6/1 with Coral) – get £30 free when you sign up

Schalke 04 – Draw No Bet (2/1 with Ladbrokes) – free £50 for new customers

Correct Score: 2-1 Schalke 04 (14/1 with Betfred) – no deposit free £10 for new signups

Champions League Best Free Bet Offers:

Betway – risk free £25          Sky Bet – no deposit free £10          William Hill – free £25          Paddy Power – bet £10 get £20          Stan James – bet £10 get £10