Arsenal continue their UEFA Champions League campaign with a home clash against Olympiacos on Wednesday night, the Gunners are in fine form both domestically and in Europe, while their Greek visitors are looking to end a miserable run of away results on the continental stage,Softfootball reports.
Mikel Arteta’s men kicked off Group Stage action with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao, extending their winning streak in UCL group/league phase matches to five their best run in nearly two decades.
That momentum carried into the Premier League, where a dramatic injury-time winner sealed a 2-1 victory over Newcastle on Sunday, boosting Arsenal’s title hopes. With only one defeat from their last 12 UCL home games and seven of those wins coming by two goals or more, the Emirates has become a fortress in Europe.
Olympiacos, by contrast, opened their campaign with a disappointing 0-0 draw against UCL debutants Pafos. José Luis Mendilibar’s side continue to struggle for cutting edge at this level, scoring just once in their last six UCL fixtures. While they have managed six goals in three recent domestic outings their European away record tells a bleak story, ten straight defeats in UCL group/league phase away games, with at least two goals conceded in every single one.
History, somehow adds a layer of intrigue. Arsenal and Olympiacos have met 12 times, in the past with each side winning six. Remarkably, none of those clashes have ever ended in a draw. Even more concerning for the Gunners is that Olympiacos have won their last three visits to London, including two victories in England across their last three trips.
Team News
Arsenal will look to Mikel Merino, who scored the decisive late header against Newcastle, continuing his streak of goals after the 60th minute ,three in a row now. Martin Ødegaard made a welcome return from a shoulder injury at the weekend and should be available again, though Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke remain sidelined.
Meanwhile, the gunners are still in celebatroy mood after turning the game around in the dying mintues to beat Newcastle at St James Park isnt one to forget, Arsenal via its official X handle posted an exclusive post match reaction of match winner Gabriel in an emphatic mood, while fans will be hoping the team can ride on this momemtum and the the maximum 3 points against Olympiacos on wednesday night, see video below;
For Olympiacos, Chiquinho could be their danger man. The Portuguese midfielder has developed a habit of scoring late, with all four of his most recent goals for the club coming in the final half-hour of matches. Mendilibar’s side, however, arrive with no major injury concerns.
Possible lineups
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Merino; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Olympiacos possible starting lineup:
Paschalakis; Rodinei, Retsos, Pirola, Ortega; Garcia, Hezze; Strefezza, Chiquinho, Podence; El Kaabi
Interstingly, it’s no news that Olympiacos having won the last 3 out of meetings away to Arsenal will be feeling they can cause an upset here, this can be evidently seen as Olympiacos via its official X handle, posted a statement counting down to the encounter against the Gunners and hope they continue their impresssive run at the emirates, see post below;
SoftFootball’s Prediction
With Arsenal in strong form and Olympiacos’ dreadful European away record weighing against them, the Gunners look firm favourites to keep their winning run alive. The Greeks may draw inspiration from past trips to London, but the hosts’ firepower should prove too much.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos
