Arsenal supporters can be forgiven for avoiding the Champions League like the plague this season. The Gunners had qualification for Europe's top competition in their hands, but defeats to fierce rivals Tottenham and then Newcastle in the last three games of last season's Premier League campaign ended their hopes.
They relinquished their place back at the top table to north London rivals Tottenham, who bested them by two points in the end. And Tottenham will begin their Champions League quest on Wednesday night, with Arsenal waiting to play in the Europa League on Thursday.
Gunners fans would happily forget about the Champions League and concentrate on the Europa League and the Premier League, where they sit top of the table after the first six matches. But there may be a reason - or five - to watch their biggest rivals in action tonight.
READ MORE: Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe, Elneny: Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of FC Zurich
The four main reasons are the current and ex-players in the Marseille squad that can do damage to Tottenham on the night. First up is the current Arsenal player - Nuno Tavares. The Portuguese struggled to assert himself at the Emirates Stadium but has taken to Ligue Un football like a duck to water. He has notched three goals already for OM, who are unbeaten in those six games he has played.
Then we come to the former Arsenal stars. Alexis Sanchez was a bright light for the Gunners during his three-and-a-half year stint in north London. He flopped at Manchester United but is reborn at Marseille with three goals in five appearances.
Matteo Guendouzi fell out of favour with Mikel Arteta but is another who is forging ahead in France. He has two assists in his last three outings for Marseille, playing in every game so far this campaign.
Sead Kolasinac is another former Gunner in the ranks, and while he has taken a bit of time to nail down a place in the team, he has started the last two OM matches, and the side have kept clean sheets in both.
There is also the fact that players linked with a move to Arsenal also play for Marseille, so it could be a chance for fans to see how they are getting on and if they would be welcome in north London in the future. Cengiz Under and Jordan Veretout were both linked with moves to Arsenal in previous transfer windows and are both on the books of Marseille.
Then, away from the players, Arsenal have fallen in love with previously, there is the simple fact that Spurs could lose. And watching Spurs lose at home, particularly to a team with a host of former Arsenal players in their ranks, would be sweet.
READ NEXT:
Why Bukayo Saka isn't registered for Arsenal clash with FC Zurich ahead of Europa League opener
Edu's risky Arsenal summer transfer call is already proving to hand Mikel Arteta key £30m gift
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
Albert Sambi Lokonga makes Mikel Arteta fume as Arsenal face biggest test of progress
Arsenal transfer business under the microscope in 'good deal' or 'bad deal'
