After the drama and heroics of the weekend win at Newcastle, it’s back to business for Arsenal in a game that they must win if they are to continue the strong momentum that they are building. Aside from the importance of momentum in relation to the Premier League table, this is also an excellent opportunity for Arsenal to build on the impressive 2-0 away win in Bilbao by picking up another three points. We saw last year what this new look Champions League format can to do to teams if they finish outside of the top 8 so it’s imperative that Arsenal win their home games and ensure they don’t slip below 9th.
Areas of encouragement
The win at Newcastle gives the squad a massive lift and confidence must be really strong going into this one. Our home form in the Champions League is also very good, as is our defence this season, so plenty to be positive about from an Arsenal perspective. Some also encouraging signs of new link-ups between the likes of Saka, Eze and Gyokeres at the weekend, which the chemistry seemingly developing quiet nicely.
Areas of concern
Olympiacos actually have a very impressive recent history at The Emirates, winning the last two, so will fancy their chances of an upset. They are obviously seen as the underdogs in this tie and had a disappointing opening week result against newboys Pafos but make no mistake about it, Olympiacos have serious European pedigree and cannot be underestimated. We’ve learnt that the hard way over the years! There are no easy games in the Champions League and Arsenal will need to be on their game on Wednesday night to take all three points.
What I’d love to see
Becoming a bit of a pattern but I’d love to see Viktor Gyokeres get a couple of goals to get the doubters off his back (again!) and to ease a bit of pressure on him. Would also love to see a run out for some of the Hale End boys, particularly Max Dowman, if the opportunity presents itself.
What I’d hate to see
Another painful defeat to the Greek side. It seems a long time ago but I still remember the last gasp Europa League exit, which was a real shock to the system at a time when the Arteta era was starting to show a bit of promise.
Lineup and Team News
Rotation, rotation, rotation! Fully expecting Arteta to ring the changes here to keep the energy levels up and to spread minutes around the rest of the squad. In comparison to previous years, the defence is actually a place where it seems quite easy to rotate, such is the quality in depth that we have there. So Ben White will no doubt come in for Jurrien Timber, Myles Lewis-Skelly at left back and Cristhian Mosquera in for one of Gabriel or Saliba. I actually think he’ll rest Martin Zubimendi for this one and give Christian Norgaard a chance to start his first ever Champions League game but the rest of the team is a bit of guess work, as I know Arteta will want to go strong up top to reduce the risk of dropping points. Viktor Gyokeres was a real handful at the weekend and could do with a rest here but we just don’t have the options to be able to do that without the level dropping too much, so the Swede will have to start again. Hoping for some minutes for Ethan Nwaneri, as he was left out of the matchday squad entirely at Newcastle, in favour of Max Dowman but I think Eberechi Eze or Martin Odegaard will start in the number 10 position, so his minutes will likely be from the bench.
Predicted lineup:
Raya
White
Mosquera
Gabriel
Lewis-Skelly
Norgaard
Merino
Odegaard
Martinelli
Gyokeres
Trossard
Substitues:
Kepa
Timber
Calafiori
Rice
Nwaneri
Eze
Dowman
Saka
Setford
Saliba
Zubimendi