The busy schedule before the upcoming national break is slowly but surely coming to a head. Arsenal will be at the Emirates Stadium today to take on Olympiakos of Greece in the second round of the Champions League. The North Londoners will go into the game as clear favourites and no wonder. Quality, experience and home environment will be on their side. In addition to all this, the charges Mikel Arteta's Moreover, they had a tough game against Newcastle at the weekend, which will definitely help them psychologically for the next matches. If Arsenal plan to advance to the next stage of the most prestigious club competition directly, from the top eight, then they must win such games. And ideally by some bigger goal difference, because even the scoreline can play a crucial role in the new format of the competition. Now let's move on to all the important things to know before the game.
Form
The Champions League only started two weeks ago, so we can't talk about the form of the teams on the European scene yet. On the other hand, we can certainly to look at the performance of both teams in domestic competitions or domestic cups. For Arsenal, I'll be more brief today because we covered everything more in the last blog I published over the weekend. On the other hand, we will look at Greek Olympiakos from a results perspective a bit more.
Arsenal
Since today's blog is focused for the Champions League match, it's worth mentioning how Arsenal entered this year's millionaire competition. In the first round, the Gunners head to Spain, to Athletic Bilbao. Although I didn't have a chance to watch the game, I read various reviews that agreed that Mikel Arteta's team didn't give the best performance in Bilbao. History won't ask that, but the result will. The Gunners managed to play a very decent one, namely won 2:0. I'll make a brief comment Arsenal's last competitive Premier League game at St James’ Park. The Gunners won three very important points in the match, which helped them significantly in the table when Liverpool faltered. The victory at Newcastle and the way in which Mikel Arteta's charges walked to it gave Arsenal players and fans new blood in their veins.
To conclude, just a quick summary, Arsenal's current form is solid and the atmosphere around the club is very positive.
Olympiakos
Let's get it all together, and I'll start with the Greek team. the opening game of this year's Champions League. Olympiakos had a very favourable draw in the first round, hosting a big underdog at home, Paphos, Cyprus. Despite all expectations, the match ended in a goalless draw, despite the fact that the visiting team played shorthanded from the 26th minute. Olympiakos' entry into the Champions League cannot be considered positive given the circumstances.
But if I look at the track record the Greek team's results in domestic competitions (league and cup), things are looking much better there. After five rounds of play, Olympiakos is in first place in the league with a record of four wins and one draw. In addition to the Greek Super League, Olympiakos has also played in the Cup, in which it has managed to win. The current Greek league leader has played a total of seven competitive matches so far with a record of five wins and two draws. Of course, there is the question of how much contrast there is in the quality of the teams in Greece and in the Champions League. We should find out tonight.
Objectively, based on the results, it can be said that Olympiakos' form has been very solid and consistent since the start of the season.
Team and expected line-up
Arsenal have had a very tough away game at Newcastle, so I imagine Mikel Arteta to make some changes. I don't expect a significant rotation of the line-up, like the one the Spanish manager showed in the EFL Cup match. After all, this is a Champions League match in which Arsenal must win.
David Raya
Although I had a thought that Kepa could appear among the three poles today, I changed my mind after a longer reflection. I don't think Mikel Arteta will be making any changes at this stage of the competition at the goalkeeper position. He'll be back in goal from the first minute David Raya.
Ben White
With the defensive options at Arsenal's disposal, the rotation at right wing-back is a good one to use in a demanding schedule. Qualitatively, although each player has different strengths, it is essentially a piece for piece swap. Jurriën Timber deserves a rest, Ben White space again on the playground. I'm not 100 % convinced that we will see a change at right fullback, but personally I would love to see it.
William Saliba
William Saliba surprisingly enough for me, he didn't come on until the second half against Newcastle at the weekend, so I think we'll see him in the base today. Again, there is a possibility that the Spanish youngster Cristhian Mosquera could take his place, but I don't really believe it.
Gabriel
Although I did register some information somewhere that Piero Hincapié should be available againso I don't think he'll start the game from the first minute. In the EFL Cup match we saw the stopper duo of William Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera again, but this time I think the Spanish manager will bet on safety. The French teammate will be joined in the centre of defence by his partner Gabriel.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
The situation on the left side of the defence is similar to the right side.. So far this season, Italian international Riccardo Calafiori has been the first choice at left-back, but that doesn't mean he has no competition. The English youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly has the quality to be on the field. Wednesday's game is an ideal opportunity to rotate both of the aforementioned players for several reasons. Calafiori will be afforded rest, while Lewis-Skelly will get the necessary minutes on the field, which at his age are extremely important for his development and confidence.
Martín Zubimendi
There could be a rotation of players in the back line, but Mikel Arteta tends to be much more conservative than in other positions. That's why I think he will start at point guard against Olympiakos Martín Zubimendi. There are of course many more possibilities, but the Spanish player seems the most likely to start.
Mikel Merino
He will complement his compatriot in the centre of midfield one of the heroes of Sunday's game in St James’ Park, Mikel Merino. The Spanish manager likes to work with the current form and mental state of the players and Mikel Merino will be in good spirits after his goal in the Newcastle net.
Martin Ødegaard
I'm not convinced of the position of the game's creator. Better said. I'm not clear who the Spanish manager will opt for. The thing that makes the most sense to me the captain will return to the line-up Martin Ødegaard just to get in game shape. On the other hand, I'm a bit uncomfortable with Mikel Arteta using two left-footed players in the middle of the pitch at the same time. It's possible, but it's a bit out of tune for me. Also, it could very well be that we see Declan Rice or Christian Nørgaard in the middle instead of Mikel Merino. Let's be surprised. Either way, the start of a Norwegian playmaker is pretty much on the table.
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka is slowly but surely is getting back to full fitness and will continue to do so today in the Champions League. Mikel Arteta has said several times in the past that he wants to play in every game and today's game will be no exception. Moreover, the home fans' darling is the only purely natural left-footed winger in the Spanish manager's squad in the absence of Noni Madueke. Youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman are not outright edge of the box players, although both feature there frequently.
Gabriel Martinelli
On the other side of the field we could see tonight Gabriel Martinelli. His recent performances and important goals (against Athletic Bilbao and Manchester City) have silenced many critics, including myself. After starting on the bench in the domestic competition at the weekend, the Brazilian speedster could start again from the first minute. However, the competition on the left wing is huge and there are more than enough options. Other hot candidates are Eberechi Eze and Lenadro Trossard.
Viktor Gyökeres
It will assert itself Viktor Gyökeres in an Arsenal jersey for the first time in the Champions League? Personally, I think so. Despite the fact that the Swedish striker played the entire game at Newcastle on Sunday, I expect will also start from the first minute against Olympiakos. It's likely that Mikel Arteta won't give him the full 90 minutes this time to save him for this weekend's derby with West Ham, but that doesn't mean he won't have time to make his mark. I believe we will see his famous mask in action today.
Substitutes
In the Champions League, on the substitutes' bench can sit a larger number of players (12 if I'm not mistaken) than in the Premier League, so it's quite likely that we'll see all the A team players currently available on the bench this time. They are: Kepa Arrigabalaga, Tommy Setford, Jurriën Timber, Cristhian Mosquera, Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapié, Christian Nørgaard, Declan Rice, Ethan Nwaneri, Eberechi Eze, Max Dowman and Leandro Trossard. One question about the substitutes, will Max Dowman get his first Champions League start? If his teammates take care of a comfortable goal lead, I think we will see the still only 15 year old Englishman on the pitch. Let's be surprised.
Still on the injured list Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke.
About the opponent
I know Olympiakos as a team, of course, but that's where my knowledge of the club as such ends. I certainly don't plan to go into an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the Greek team, nor any interesting facts or historical connections. The topic of Greek football is quite remote for me. However we looked at the current form together in the introduction of the blogand so we can now focus on the player pool. In this case, I certainly don't dare to say that I have an overview of Olympiakos players, but there are a few more well-known names in the Greek team.
The first is French veteran Remy Cabella, who was already in the Premier League more than ten years ago. Back then, he wore a Newcastle jersey. Another Olympiakos footballer you might know is Mehdi Taremi. Last year, the Iranian international wore the jersey of the famous Inter Milan and even appeared in their Champions League match against Arsenal. Daniel PodenceDoes that mean anything to you? The Portuguese footballer spent several years in the top flight of the English league, specifically at Wolverhampton, so this offensive all-rounder may be familiar to you. One other name on the roster caught my eye, Gelson Martins. Another one of several Portuguese players to be found in the team of Spanish manager Jose Luis Mendilibar. The now 30-year-old winger was at one time linked with a move to Arsenal, but ultimately did not head to the North London outfit. I believe that Olympiakos has other interesting players in their ranks, but as I announced, Greek teams are not my specialty.
Match
An unambiguous Arsenal are the home favourites, although the balance of the last four games is even (two Arsenal wins, two Olympiakos wins). All these clashes took place a couple of years ago (in the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 seasons) in the Europa League. Looking back, it's astonishing (in a positive way) how far Arsenal have come since then. That's probably the main reason why Arsenal should be able to cope with a Greek opponent without too much trouble. In addition to a better and broader cadre other aspects will play into Arsenal's hands, such as current form, Experience and last but not least home environment.
The picture of the game should be such that Mikel Arteta's charges will dictate the pace of the game right from the opening whistle. I expect a significant ground advantage and the associated superiority in ball possession. I also naturally expect to see danger in front of the away goal, which will (hopefully) be reflected in the scoreboard. I certainly don't want to underestimate Olympiakos in any way, but with all of the above in mind, I think Arsenal should go for the three points. I predict Arsenal to win 4:0.
Next match
We won't have to wait long for the next Gunners game. This weekend, specifically Saturday 4 October 2025 at 16:00 (CET), Mikel Arteta's charges will take to the Emirates Stadium for a little for the London derby against West Ham. After that we will have a national break, so we will take a break from club football for two weeks.
See you next time, I'll look forward to it!
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Editor, administrator and editor of the True Gunner Diary website, but above all a devoted Arsenal fan. I started with sports articles at the Tipsport bookmaker, where I have published more than 100 blogs. If you want to know more about me, check out the section of the same name here on the site.