Inter v Arsenal Tips: Joe Cole's 9/2 shout for Wednesday's UCL tie

It’s Champions League time, people. The relentless early-season schedule continues this midweek and one of the biggest matches on the slate is Inter v Arsenal. The Gunners have been in poor form of late and they’ll be looking for a solid three points to get them back on the straight and narrow.

Paddy’s pal Joe Cole never shirks a challenge and he’s here to try and work out how this heavyweight clash is going to play out. So, Joe, what do you reckon?

Inter v Arsenal Tips

Correct score: 1-1
Raheem Sterling to score

WHEN: Wednesday 6th November, 8pm
WHERE: San Siro, Milan
TV: TNT Sports 1

Arsenal are not heading into this in form. I get the feeling that Mikel Arteta, with Chelsea on the horizon at the weekend, is going to rotate his squad.

They can’t lose to Chelsea on Sunday, it’s must win really. If they lose it’s not title race over but it’s exceedingly difficult for them to win it from here.

I expect to see the lad Ethan Nwaneri start and he was impressive when he came on against Newcastle. Raheem Sterling might get a start.

They can lose this game against Inter Milan and still make it to the knockout stages of the Champions League. If they lose against Chelsea at the weekend that’s a different story.

I expect changes, they look leggy. Players like Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli weren’t at it at all on Saturday. That being said, I still think they’ll go there and get something out of the game with a much-changed side.

They’ll revert back into what they’ve been doing when they drop back into a low block and try to catch teams on the break. Martin Odegaard’s on the cusp of being fit so there’s some good news.

I’m going to go with a 1-1 draw in this game and for Sterling to score. He always bounces back when he’s been written off and he would be very, very disappointed to not get on the pitch at the weekend.

I’ve got a feeling he’ll get the nod, he’s an experienced player in difficult times. It’s Arsenal’s biggest game of the season so far on Sunday so this will be a good preparation.