Champions League AZ Alkmaar v Arsenal

Emmanuel Eboue would love to repay Arsenal's faith by helping take them back to the Champions League final.

The Ivory Coast international, who was part of the side which lost to Barcelona in Paris four years ago, has enjoyed something of a renaissance since being ironically cheered by sections of the Emirates Stadium crowd when substituted against Wigan in December 2008.

And Eboue now feels there is no better club than Arsenal with which to fulfil his ambitions, saying: "For me I am very focused because I know this team because I played in the final in 2006. For me I just want to say thank you to my boss and the fans because they help me a lot."

He added: "I was very disappointed with my performance last season, but now I feel I am doing very well.

"I want to give my best when I play for myself and the fans."

Arsenal are the leading scorers in the English top flight, with a record 27 goals from the first eight matches.

Manager Arsene Wenger, though, feels it is also his team's hard work when not in possession which has helped their progress.

Champions League Liverpool v Olympique Lyon

iverpool have conceded a mere three goals in 11 previous home games against French clubs. They won nine of those and have lost only once - 1-0 to Marseille two seasons ago in the Champions League.

Before their 2-0 defeat away to Fiorentina in their last game, Liverpool had an outstanding recent record against teams from abroad in the CL, winning 12 and drawing two of their last 14 matches.

Lyon have not won any of their last seven matches against English clubs and just one of the last 11, a 1-0 away victory over Blackburn Rovers in the 1998-99 UEFA Cup.

Lyon have won four of their last five European away games, scoring a total of 16 goals in those matches.

Reuters