Arsenal v Olympiacos: Line-ups, stats and preview

Preview for Arsenal v Olympiacos

It has been a positive few days for Arsenal and boss Mikel Arteta says the squad is feeling good ahead of tomorrow night’s Champions League clash with Olympiacos.

The Gunners left it late to beat Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday, goals from Mikel Merino and Gabriel handing them a deserved 2-1 win.

And the widely expected news that William Saliba had signed a new contract was confirmed this morning with the France international extending his stay at the Emirates until 2030.

“There has been great energy,” said Arteta when asked to assess the mood following the victory on Tyneside. “The moment you went in the dressing room everyone was celebrating because of the manner and the way it happened but you have to move on immediately and we know we have a very tough match against Olympiacos and we are ready for it.”

Arsenal reached the semi-finals of the Champions League last season before coming unstuck against eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.

A summer of heavy spending has reinforced the squad and the North London side appear better placed now to go at least one step further.

That brings added pressure but Arteta said, internally, the aims remain the same.

“We have the same ambition which is to go game by game and try and be better than the opponent which is very difficult in this competition,” he added. “We want to win as many games as we can. 

“Tomorrow is going to be a really difficult one. We know how important the home form is going to be to reach where we want to arrive and tomorrow we have the opportunity to start well.”

For all of Arsenal’s improvement since Arteta arrived at the club in 2019, they still have just a single FA Cup success to show for it.

“I am aware the moment that I step into this chair, what I want with this football club is to win major trophies,” said the Spaniard. “Nobody else has to put that line in to us. That’s the ambition. Excuses have never been a part of my life.”

Arsenal opened their Champions League campaign with a win at Athletic Bilbao and another three points here would put them in pole position.

Olympiacos could only muster a disappointing goalless draw with 10-man Pafos in their opener but they did win at the weekend, beating Levadiakos 3-2 thanks to Chiquinho’s 96th-minute goal.

Team News for Arsenal v Olympiacos

Saliba was rested at Newcastle on Sunday but should replace Cristhian Mosquera. Martin Odegaard will return if Arteta is convinced he is over a shoulder problem.

Noni Madueke, Piero Hincapie and Kai Havertz remain sidelined.

Rodinei and Roman Yaremchuk are doubtful for the visitors.

Predicted line-ups for Arsenal v Olympiacos

Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Ødegaard, Rice, Eze; Saka, Trossard, Gyökeres

Olympiacos: Tzolakis; Costinha, Retsos, Pirola, Ortega; Hezze, Mouzakitis; Gelson Martins, Chiquinho, Podence; El Kaabi

How to watch Arsenal v Olympiacos: TV and online streams

Arsenal versus Olympiacos kicks off at 8pm tomorrow night UK time. You can watch it on TNT Sports and stream it via the discovery+ app.

Stats for Arsenal v Olympiacos

• This will be the 13th time Arsenal and Olympiacos have faced each other in European competition, with none of the previous 12 ending in a stalemate and both sides winning six games apiece
• Arsenal have faced Olympiacos on four occasions during Mikel Arteta’s reign as manager (W2 L2); only facing PSV (6) more often in European competition
• Arsenal have won each of their last five games in the group/league phase of the Champions League, their longest such run since winning six in a row between December 2004 and November 2005