2020-21 UEFA Europa League Last 16: Second Leg – Arsenal vs Olympiacos

Having triumphed comfortably in the first leg, Arsenal welcome Olympiacos to the Emirates Stadium in the second leg of their Last 16 tie in 2020-21 UEFA Europa League. 

Arsenal enter this leg with a 3-1 advantage meaning that anything other than a huge defeat of three or more goals would see them through to the last eight, whereas Olympiacos must score three or more goals to stand any chance of advancing past this stage.

 

Team News

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Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s only injury doubt after suffering a hamstring injury in Sunday’s North London derby victory over Tottenham.

Olympiacos could be without Ousseynou Ba as he continues to struggle with a back injury.

Ruben Semedo (knee), Avraam Papadopoulos and Mario Vrousai (both unspecified) are ruled out.

 

Stat Attack

• Arsenal have won two of three previous Europa League meetings against Olympiacos (W2, L1).
• Olympiacos have won two of five previous trips to Arsenal (W2, L3), with both wins coming in their last two visits.
• Two of Nicholas Pepe’s three Europa League goals for Arsenal this season have come at the Emirates Stadium.
• Youssef El-Arabi is Olympiacos’ top scorer in UEFA competitions this season, yet none of his three goals have come away from home.
• Spain’s Carlos del Cerro Grande is refereeing an Arsenal game for the first time this season, whereas Olympiacos lost their only previous game this season refereed by Cerro Grande – coincidentally away in England in a 3-0 loss to Manchester City in November 2020.

 

Prediction

Having taken a comfortable victory in the first leg, Arsenal continued to build positive momentum with a strong thorough attacking performance against a sloppy Tottenham team on Sunday but they cannot rest on their laurels here given that Olympiacos have found a taste for the Emirates in recent visits.

Speaking of the Greek visitors, they need to improve on a weak display in the first leg and after winning their last two visits here, I expect them to come out fighting but they really need to get two early goals to give themselves a shot here.

I however feel that Arsenal are a stronger beast than the team who embarrassingly crashed out of last season’s tournament here 13 months ago, so they should have enough quality in them to deliver at least a draw if not victory to seal their passage to the Quarter-Finals.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Olympiacos

Result: Arsenal 0-1 Olympiacos (Arsenal win 3-2 on aggregate!!!)