By Graham Ruthven
Stable begins
Arsenal began their Champions League marketing campaign with a powerful 2-0 away win over Athletic Membership and might observe that up with one other victory at house to Olympiacos on Wednesday, a match for which the Gunners can be agency favourites.
Mikel Arteta’s staff face the Greek champions only a few days after a doubtlessly season-changing win over Newcastle United. It was a outcome and efficiency that highlighted the energy – technical, bodily and psychological – of an Arsenal staff preventing on a number of fronts.
That sport at St James’ Park might lead to a barely torpid efficiency by Arsenal towards Olympiacos, though Arteta now has the depth to rotate his squad. He should discover methods to maintain his staff’s vitality ranges excessive.
Olympiacos have been held at house by Pafos of their opening Champions League fixture, however are unbeaten in all competitions and have discovered their scoring contact within the Greek Tremendous League, notching 13 objectives in simply 5 video games.
Much less encouraging is that Olympiacos have misplaced 10 consecutive away Champions League matches and have gained simply two of their final 21 video games at this stage of the competitors.
Key gamers
Arteta might rotate his squad after a draining match away to Newcastle United on Sunday, which means Arsenal’s lineup to tackle Olympiacos could be tough to foretell.
Viktor Gyökeres is an efficient wager to begin with Kai Havertz nonetheless sidelined via harm. The Swedish striker has made a good agency impression after becoming a member of Arsenal in the summertime, however might do with growing his goals-to-game ratio.
Eberechi Eze can be a risk if he’s chosen. The England worldwide began towards Newcastle and was a hazard within the ultimate third of the pitch, giving Arsenal a distinct dimension along with his pure creativity on the ball.
On the again, William Saliba might function after making his return from harm at St James’ Park on Sunday. David Raya may also maintain his tempo in aim with the Spaniard averaging 2.5 saves per 90 minutes this season.
Chiquinho is an all-round risk for Olympiacos within the ultimate third and is contemporary from bagging a brace towards Levadiakos on the weekend. Arsenal should maintain tabs on the Portuguese quantity 10.
Former Wolves winger Daniel Podence will begin and has the power to harm the Gunners down the left aspect. Mehdi Taremi, who joined Olympiacos from Inter Milan in the summertime window, is one other skilled performer who might make an affect on the Emirates Stadium.
Workforce information
Havertz continues to be out via harm with Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke additionally unavailable for the Gunners in the mean time. Piero Hincapié can be a doubt and can face a health take a look at earlier than Wednesday’s match.
Roman Yaremchuk is injured, however the veteran ahead is the one unavailable participant for Olympiacos’ journey to North London. In any other case, José Luis Mendilibar has a completely match and out there squad to select from.
Prediction
Contemplating the Greek aspect’s dire away report on this competitions and the Gunners’ enchancment this season, this needs to be a straight ahead win for the Arsenal, and doubtless one other clear sheet for David Raya: Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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