Champions League football returns to the Emirates Stadium this Wednesday at 8 PM UK time. Arsenal faces Olympiacos, marking their 13th encounter in 16 years. Following a solid 2-0 victory over Bilbao, Arsenal aims for consecutive wins to start their Champions League campaign.
Arsenal’s Home Performance
Historically, Arsenal performs well at home during European fixtures, winning 14 of their last 15 home Champions League openers. However, the only defeat in this streak was against Olympiacos in 2015. The Greek team has won on their last three visits to London, creating a peculiar challenge for Mikel Arteta.
Olympiacos’ Current Form
Olympiacos recently won their 19th league and cup double, enabling them to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since the 2020/21 season. They started the competition with a 0-0 draw against Pafos, despite the opposition playing with ten men. They are currently unbeaten and hold first place in the Super League, winning four out of five matches.
Recent Matches
- Last match: Victory against Levadiakos, scored in the 96th minute.
- Only blemish: A 1-1 draw against Panathinaikos.
Despite a historically poor record as visitors in the Champions League, Olympiacos has recently achieved two wins in their last three away games against English teams, including a notable victory against Arsenal in March 2021.
Manager Insights
Arteta emphasized the importance of maintaining home form in his pre-match comments. He acknowledged Olympiacos as a formidable opponent, highlighting their coaching methods as challenging. Arteta aims for Arsenal to progress further this season.
In contrast, Olympiacos’ coach Mendilibar stressed the need for his players to be courageous and maintain their style against Arsenal. He cautioned against succumbing to pressure and emphasized focus on their own game plan.
Team News
Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard is set to feature after assisting in their last match, while key players like Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus remain sidelined due to injuries. Olympiacos welcomes back first-choice goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis after suspension.
Unavailable Players
- Arsenal: Piero Hincapie, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus.
- Olympiacos: Roman Yaremchuk, Rodinei.
Tactical Approaches
Olympiacos typically employs a 4-2-3-1 formation that transitions to a compact 4-5-1 defensively. They aim to exploit wide areas and create goal-scoring opportunities through overlapping runs and crosses. Despite their strength, they have shown inconsistencies in creativity.
Statistics and Records
- Arsenal has kept a clean sheet in nine of their last twelve home matches in the Champions League.
- They have the highest shutouts at home in the competition since the start of the 2023/24 season.
- Olympiacos has lost ten consecutive away games in the Champions League, scoring a total of six goals during that stretch.
Match Officials
The match will be officiated by Francois Letexier, who has experience in significant fixtures, including the Euro 2024 final.
Previous Encounters
Arsenal and Olympiacos have faced each other 12 times, with each side securing six victories. Their most notable clashes include a decisive match in the 2015/16 season, where Arsenal secured advancement with a key performance from Olivier Giroud.
This match promises to be another thrilling chapter in their ongoing rivalry, as both teams seek to establish their dominance in this prestigious tournament.
