Champions League: Gunners Have the Greeks in Their Crosshairs

Arsenal vs Olympiacos

Arsenal aim to secure their second consecutive Champions League victory when they host Olympiacos at the Emirates Stadium this Wednesday evening. It has been a busy stretch for Mikel Arteta’s men, as this will be their fifth game in 14 days.

After winning 2-0 against Athletic Bilbao in their first European match this season, the Gunners held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw and won 2-0 against Port Vale in the EFL Cup third round and beat Newcastle United 2-1 last weekend. As a result, Arsenal are within arm’s reach of Liverpool in the Premier League table, and they’re in the Top 8 in the Champions League.

Meanwhile, Olympiacos are 21st in the standings after a goalless draw against Pafos on the opening day. Since then, the Greek club recorded a 1-1 draw against Panathinaikos, a 2-1 win over Asteras Tripolis in the Greek Cup, and a 3-2 victory against Levadiakos.

 

Talking Points

Odegaard gives Arsenal a selection dilemma

Arsenal’s injury list has somewhat eased up, as Martin Odegaard returned from his shoulder injury during their 2-1 win over Newcastle United, and the skipper had a hand in the late matchwinner. With the game level at 1-1, the Gunners had one more shot to win, and Gabriel converted a header from Odegaard’s corner kick.

With Odegaard back in the mix, this means that Arteta has four players left in the infirmary. Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus, and Piero Hincapie are all absent for the Olympiacos game. 

With Odegaard back, Arteta has a selection dilemma that most managers welcome. Odegaard and Eberechi Eze are both top-notch No. 10s, but Eze will likely start because he’s in better form recently. During the game against the Magpies, the former Crystal Palace talisman completed 100-per cent of his dribbles, registered six touches inside the opponents’ penalty box, and played three passes into the final third. 

Furthermore, Arteta could also make a change at the back, as Cristhian Mosquera will likely make way for William Saliba after he endured the worst 45-minute stretch of his Arsenal career so far, after giving away the corner that led to Nick Woltemade’s opening goal.

 

Key absences for Olympiacos

Olympiacos could miss up to four key players against Arsenal, as Roman Yaremchuk and Lorenzo Scipioni are injured. Remy Cabella and Yusuf Yazici were also not included in the team’s Champions League squad. 

Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side won 3-2 against Levadiakos last time out, as Chiquinho had a brace in this game, including the matchwinner during stoppage time. The veteran attacking midfielder should keep his No. 10 role, and he’ll likely join former Wolves forward Daniel Podence, Gabriel Strefezza, and Ayoub El Kaabi in the final third. 

Mehdi Taremi is another scoring option off the bench for the Greeks, as the former Inter Milan striker already has two league goals this term.

 

History

Wednesday marks the 13th time Arsenal and Olympiacos square off in Europe, and both sides have recorded six wins apiece. During Mikel Arteta’s reign as manager, Arsenal have recorded two wins and two losses against Olympiacos. The Greeks eliminated the Gunners from the 2019-20 Europa League Round of 32 before the latter eliminated the former from the same competition in the following season (Round of 16).

​Arsenal have won each of their last five games in the Champions League group/league phase, which is their longest such run since winning six straight between December 2004 and November 2005.

Olympiacos have won two of their last three away against English sides (L1), which is as many victories as they managed in their first 17 away games against them in Europe (W2, L15). However, the Greeks have only scored one goal in their last six Champions League matches (D1, L5).

 

Betting Tip

The Champions League 2025 odds predict a lopsided match between Arsenal and Olympiacos this Wednesday. The hosts are 1.17 favourites to win, whereas their Greek counterparts are huge 11.00 underdogs, and a draw is at 6.20 in the 1X2 market.

Based on their previous encounters, Arsenal and Olympiacos are expected to produce new Champions League 2025 highlights this week, with the hosts likely to score more goals. Besides our recommended bet, SBOTOP bettors can add Over 2.75 at 1.64, Over 3.00 at 1.82, and Over 3.25 at 2.05 to the parlay, with Total Goals 2-3 at 2.20 as the slightly conservative alternative. Moreover, a Correct Score of 3-0 in favour of Arsenal – the result of their most recent meeting – is on offer at 6.60 your bet.

   

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