Arsenal welcome Olympiacos to the Emirates Stadium in the second leg of their Round of 32 clash in this season’s Europa League.
The Gunners took a narrow one goal victory in the first leg last week and know that anything other than defeat or a high scoring draw would see them through.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesSead Kolasinac is ruled out for Arsenal after suffering a shoulder injury in Sunday’s 3-2 home win against Everton.
Pablo Mari (fitness) could be in contention but Cedric Soares, Calum Chambers (knee) and Kieran Tierney (shoulder) are ruled out.
Olympiacos will be without the suspended Ruben Semedo whilst Hillal Soudani (knee) is still absent.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal’s 1-0 win in the first leg last week saw them beat Olympiacos in two consecutive meetings for the first time ever, achieving clean sheets on both occasions.
- Olympiacos have won just one of four previous trips to Arsenal (W1, L3).
- There hasn’t been a draw between these two teams in nine previous meetings.
Prediction
Arsenal were made to work hard defensively in the first leg but Olympiacos wasted their chances, which could very well be the difference here at a ground in which both teams have scored in their last three meetings.
I therefore am expecting to see Olympiacos come here and try to frustrate Arsenal, because they know that they need a goal to at least take this to extra time which could eventually frustrate them if Arsenal can sit back and hit them on clinical counter attacks.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Olympiacos.
Result: Arsenal 1-2 Olympiacos (Olympiacos wins on away goals after tie finishes 2-2 on aggregate)