Mikel Arteta faces his first European match as Arsenal manager as his Gunners visit Olympiacos in the first leg of their Europa League Last 16 clash at the Karaiskakis Stadium.
Having reached the semis and Final in each of the last two seasons, Arsenal will be hoping for another deep run but Olympiacos will pose a stern test of the Gunners’ credentials.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesOlympiacos have no fresh injury concerns to report ahead of this tie with a full squad available for selection.
Arsenal will be without Mesut Ozil who has not travelled with the squad due to personal reasons.
Pablo Mari is expected to be in contention for his Gunners debut but fellow January signing, Cedric Soares is still out for another week with a knee injury.
Lucas Torreira (illness), Kieran Tierney (shoulder) and Calum Chambers (knee) are ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Olympiacos have won four of eight previous meetings against Arsenal (W4, L4).
- Arsenal have scored in seven of eight previous clashes against Olympiacos, only failing to do so in a 1-0 away defeat in December 2009.
- Just one of Arsenal’s 14 goals in the group stage came from a defender – Shkodran Mustafi in a 1-1 draw at Vitoria de Guimaraes.
Prediction
Arsenal were poor in the first half against Newcastle on Sunday and if they start like that here, I can see Olympiacos taking full advantage no matter how powerful Arsenal’s attack gets in the second half.
Should Arsenal however start on the front foot then I can see them comfortably controlling this game, earning themselves a comfortable lead to take back to the Emirates which I do see happening if they pick up where they left off.
Prediction: Olympiacos 0-2 Arsenal
Result: Olympiacos 0-1 Arsenal