Now you probably don’t know this, but I’m an Arsenal fan, so some of the content I’ll write on this blog will be about the Gunners. Today I’m going to preview the game against Olympiacos, give my score prediction and what may happen, but also my preferred/predicted team line up.
I must say this though, everything I write is my opinion and it’s only an opinion, not fact…. unfortunately.
Lets get cracking with the preview. The second leg of Arsenal’s Europa League tie with Olympiacos concludes on Thursday, with the Gunners going into the tie 1-0 up following their win in Piraeus last Thursday. It was a decent performance, with Bayern being the only team to beat them at home this season. To not concede was a huge positive considering Arsenal’s defensive struggle in recent seasons, however, some will say they were a tad fortunate in getting that result. Not me though, I thought we rode out their early pressure and after that, defended pretty well, with Leno and the much improved Mustafi being the stand outs. I thought we could have come away with more than just one goal separating the two teams if Lacazette had taken some of his other chances.
On Thursday though, I can see Arsenal dominating play and adding to the 1-0 lead. The London team have played Olympiacos before, in the Champions League, and performed ok against them. Arsenal lost their last home game against the Greek side when they last played at the Emirates back in 2015, 2-3, but won the three home games prior to then.
Arteta’s side will look to continue the fine form they are on since he has taken over and particularly since the winter break, beating Newcastle and Everton either side of the previous fixture against Olympiacos. I hope Arsenal can play with the freedom, style and heart, both in offence and defence, that they have shown since the break.
Now… lets get to the ‘most likely team selection’.
Formation
4-2-3-1 – This has been Arsenal’s preferred formation under Arteta. They used it in the last game and I see no reason why the formation would change for this game.
The line-up
GK – Leno
RB- Sokratis
CB – Mustafi
CB – Luiz
LB – Saka
CDM – Xhaka
CDM – Torreira
LM/LW – Aubameyang
CAM – Willock
RM/RW – Martinelli
ST – Lacazette
Leno played in the last game, to my surprise, as Martinez seemed to be the Europa League keeper this year. This possibly highlights the importance the Europa League has on getting us back into the Champions League. The selection was ultimately justified with some stunning saves from the German at the end of the game.
I believe Sokratis will again play at right-back instead of Bellerin who is still nursing his way back from injury. I’d prefer to see Martiland-Niles in that role, as I think he is more comfortable and has played well when played there before. Sokratis has been relatively solid, however Ainsley would offer more pace going forward and tracking back. The rest of the defence speaks for itself, Luis and Mustafi have been solid and much improved under Arteta. Saka… Saka, what more can be said? He has been superb in his all round game. Ten assists, eighteen years old and playing at an unnatural position. Incredible!
Xhaka has been a constant figure recently and will most likely play again on Thursday. I’ve partnered him with Torreira as I feel he needs games and will also provide balance to the team. Caballos has been superb in that position and has helped create from deep and linked the defence and attack. That being said Guendouzi played in the reverse fixture and played well. All three have a shout in playing but Torreira edges it.
The three behind the striker is straight forward. Pepe I would suspect would sit this one out as he played at the weekend, allowing Martinelli to come in. Auba is Auba and has been terrific this season and is finally getting the praise for the constantly high level of performance he has been showing since he joined the club. Then Willock in the centre. Not the best performance in the last game against the Greek side, but there is no doubting his talent.
Finally Laca up front. Prior to the weekend he had two in two for the Gunners and he’ll be looking to add goals and gain confidence. Then I’m sure we will see the Laca we saw last season.
This will no doubt be a tough test for Arsenal as Olympiacos will try and overturn result they suffered in the last game. Valbuena caused many problems in the first twenty minutes so we will have to be wary of him. We nullified his influence the more the game wore on. We can do it again. I have confidence of a good result and progression into the next round.
Prediction: 3-1 COME ON YOU GOOOOONERS!!!