Tottenham Hotspur welcome the return of UEFA Champions League football to north London for the first time since the 2019/20 campaign when they face off against Marseille on Wednesday night.
Spurs have been handed a favourable group that also consists of Sporting Lisbon and last season’s Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt, although they have already been handed a warning over their Ligue 1 visitors on Wednesday.
And with a number of former Arsenal players in their side, including Alexis Sanchez, William Gallas has advised Tottenham to be wary of their opponents’ threat in their Group D opener.
When asked to identify one player in Marseille’s team that could create problems for Spurs when the two teams meet, Gallas told Genting Casino : “Sanchez, of course used to play for Arsenal, along with a few others like Guendouzi and you have Tavares who is there on loan from Arsenal.
“Payet played for West Ham, so there are players in this team that Tottenham will know. I am sure that Sanchez will have been talking to his teammates about Tottenham and he will want to score at their stadium. He is a player that can cause many problems for Tottenham's defence.”
Sanchez, now 33, may not be quite the same player that he was during his Arsenal days but there is no doubt that his quality still remains, with three goals in his first five appearances of the season for his new club proving how much of a threat he can still pose to the opposition.
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During his five-year spell in England with Arsenal and Manchester United, Sanchez scored three times in 10 appearances against Spurs but will be keen to add to that tally when he lines up for Marseille tonight, while being a former Gunner only adds fuel to the fire.
But he isn’t the only one looking to make a point on their return to north London, with Sead Kolasinac, Guendouzi and current Arsenal loanee Tavares all ready to stamp their mark on the game should they be given the opportunity to do so.
Along with former West Ham winger Payet, who racked up 16 goals and 13 assists in all competitions for the Ligue 1 runners-up last season, Marseille also possess United and Manchester City loanees Eric Bailly and Issa Kabore.
The French outfit can also include former Premier League players Chancel Mbemba, Jordan Veretout and Cengiz Under amongst their ranks, leaving them with more than enough players who know enough about playing against the Lilywhites tonight.
Marseille have already started the new campaign in fine form, sitting at the top of Ligue 1 on level points with Paris Saint-Germain following five wins and one draw from their opening six games, and so Spurs must handle this fixture with the appropriate caution in order to get a result.
But Antonio Conte’s side have also started impressively and remain unbeaten after their first six fixtures and, should they bring their domestic form into their Champions League campaign, there is no doubt that they have the quality to make it through the group stage.
