Olympiakos - Arsenal Preview. The Chance to Create History
The Chance to Create History
By Christian Leggas
The time has come for Olympiacos to create history and send a message to the rest of the Europa League, and who are standing in their way? One of many powerhouses of the English Premier League, Arsenal.
Olympiacos to be blunt are quite lucky to be in the round of thirty-two, it took a convincing penalty from top-scorer Youssef El-Arabi to take the Greek giants to third place in their UEFA Champions League group, and by extension, qualify for the Europa League last 32 ahead of Red Star Belgrade. Arsenal’s journey to this stage of the competition has been quite smooth, albeit under different management at the time, the Gunners only lost one game on route to gaining the top spot in Group F ahead of Eintracht Frankfurt, Standard Liege, and Vitoria Guimaraes.
Both teams come into this first leg of the tie in very good form, notably Olympiacos are currently undefeated in a domestic sense throughout this season, and having just dismantled Panionios to the tune of four goals to nil. As for Arsenal, since Mikel Arteta took the reins, the Gunners have only been beaten twice in all competitions, and have adopted a very attack-minded slick-quick passing style of play, they are coming off the back of taking Newcastle United to the cleaners, by belting the Tyne-siders by four goals.
So, how do Olympiacos win this tie? Here’s how:
Youssef El-Arabi, Kostas Fortounis, Kostas Tsimikas, and Mathieu Valbuena must all play at a stellar standard:
Without a doubt, these four players are vital, to say the least for Olympiacos, the three attacking players mentioned here have to help create, and more importantly, finish off the chances that come their way if any do. If any chances are wasted, the detrimental effect it will have on the team is inevitable, because Arsenal won’t waste theirs. As for Kostas Tsimikas, he too plays a vital role as the club’s best defender. Being a part of eighteen clean sheets, whilst registering six assists highlights his importance to this team, so he must be not only defensively solid but also can go forward and help Olympiacos attack.
As well as their stars, stop the young Superstar’s that are Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli:
For a moment, let’s forget the likes of Aubameyang, Pepe, Lacazette, etc. it doesn’t need to be said too much how good they are, because everyone knows that. Two players have the potential to cause Olympiacos just as much, if not more problems than their “well-known superstars”. Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka pose enormous threats to Olympiacos, both players have particularly shone statistically in this competition in multiple positions. Their talent is unquestionable, particularly in their ability to outpace their opponents and help provide that finishing touch, whether it’s putting in a pin-point cross or a deadly strike to lift their team, both of them should along with the Gunners’ A-list personalities be watched like Hawks.
Don’t let Arsenal play their quick passing game:
As mentioned above, under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal is now playing a style where quick passing and decision making, as well as clinical attacking nouns, are very prevalent. In a home game against Manchester United in the Premier League, United couldn’t get near Arsenal for the entire game, why? Because the way Arsenal moved the ball was like a ball inside a pinball machine, that had the mindset of an Archery Gold Medallist. Their cross-field passing was immaculate, their decision making was quick and they, of course, had the quality to finish off their good work. Draws as opposed to wins have been a bit more of a common result under Arteta so far, but they are on course to be a menacing prospect in world football once again under the Spaniard’s guidance. Mark my words, this is Olympiacos’s biggest test of the season to date.
Olympiacos go into this clash pretty much at full strength, two notable absentees will be attacker Hillal Soudani who is currently recovering from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury, and striker Ahmed Hassan who hasn’t been included in the squad for this leg of the tie. As for the Gunners, there’s one big absentee for them in star playmaker Mesut Ozil, who misses this clash due to personal reasons. Lucas Torreira faces a race against the clock to take part in this match too, as he has not traveled with the squad to Greece due to illness. There is a glimmer of hope that he can overcome the illness in time for the game. Should Torreira fail to take his place in the squad, that could potentially pave the way for Matteo Guendouzi to return as he missed Arsenal’s win at home to Newcastle United, with Mikel Arteta eluding to a lack of adhering to standards that the Spaniard has set for his team.
Well, there you go. That’s how Olympiacos will give themselves the best chance to win this tie. Will they do it? Time will tell.
Hellas Football
By Christian Leggas
Olympiacos to be blunt are quite lucky to be in the round of thirty-two, it took a convincing penalty from top-scorer Youssef El-Arabi to take the Greek giants to third place in their UEFA Champions League group, and by extension, qualify for the Europa League last 32 ahead of Red Star Belgrade. Arsenal’s journey to this stage of the competition has been quite smooth, albeit under different management at the time, the Gunners only lost one game on route to gaining the top spot in Group F ahead of Eintracht Frankfurt, Standard Liege, and Vitoria Guimaraes.
Both teams come into this first leg of the tie in very good form, notably Olympiacos are currently undefeated in a domestic sense throughout this season, and having just dismantled Panionios to the tune of four goals to nil. As for Arsenal, since Mikel Arteta took the reins, the Gunners have only been beaten twice in all competitions, and have adopted a very attack-minded slick-quick passing style of play, they are coming off the back of taking Newcastle United to the cleaners, by belting the Tyne-siders by four goals.
So, how do Olympiacos win this tie? Here’s how:
Youssef El-Arabi, Kostas Fortounis, Kostas Tsimikas, and Mathieu Valbuena must all play at a stellar standard:
Without a doubt, these four players are vital, to say the least for Olympiacos, the three attacking players mentioned here have to help create, and more importantly, finish off the chances that come their way if any do. If any chances are wasted, the detrimental effect it will have on the team is inevitable, because Arsenal won’t waste theirs. As for Kostas Tsimikas, he too plays a vital role as the club’s best defender. Being a part of eighteen clean sheets, whilst registering six assists highlights his importance to this team, so he must be not only defensively solid but also can go forward and help Olympiacos attack.
As well as their stars, stop the young Superstar’s that are Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli:
For a moment, let’s forget the likes of Aubameyang, Pepe, Lacazette, etc. it doesn’t need to be said too much how good they are, because everyone knows that. Two players have the potential to cause Olympiacos just as much, if not more problems than their “well-known superstars”. Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka pose enormous threats to Olympiacos, both players have particularly shone statistically in this competition in multiple positions. Their talent is unquestionable, particularly in their ability to outpace their opponents and help provide that finishing touch, whether it’s putting in a pin-point cross or a deadly strike to lift their team, both of them should along with the Gunners’ A-list personalities be watched like Hawks.
Don’t let Arsenal play their quick passing game:
As mentioned above, under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal is now playing a style where quick passing and decision making, as well as clinical attacking nouns, are very prevalent. In a home game against Manchester United in the Premier League, United couldn’t get near Arsenal for the entire game, why? Because the way Arsenal moved the ball was like a ball inside a pinball machine, that had the mindset of an Archery Gold Medallist. Their cross-field passing was immaculate, their decision making was quick and they, of course, had the quality to finish off their good work. Draws as opposed to wins have been a bit more of a common result under Arteta so far, but they are on course to be a menacing prospect in world football once again under the Spaniard’s guidance. Mark my words, this is Olympiacos’s biggest test of the season to date.
Olympiacos go into this clash pretty much at full strength, two notable absentees will be attacker Hillal Soudani who is currently recovering from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury, and striker Ahmed Hassan who hasn’t been included in the squad for this leg of the tie. As for the Gunners, there’s one big absentee for them in star playmaker Mesut Ozil, who misses this clash due to personal reasons. Lucas Torreira faces a race against the clock to take part in this match too, as he has not traveled with the squad to Greece due to illness. There is a glimmer of hope that he can overcome the illness in time for the game. Should Torreira fail to take his place in the squad, that could potentially pave the way for Matteo Guendouzi to return as he missed Arsenal’s win at home to Newcastle United, with Mikel Arteta eluding to a lack of adhering to standards that the Spaniard has set for his team.
Well, there you go. That’s how Olympiacos will give themselves the best chance to win this tie. Will they do it? Time will tell.
Hellas Football
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