Olympiakos vs Arsenal preview
Follow Olympiakos vs Arsenal on Sky Sports' digital platform with a dedicated live blog from 6.45pm
Thursday 20 February 2020 21:00, UK
Team news, stats and predictions as Arsenal travel to Olympiakos in the last 32 of the Europa League.
Team news
Mesut Ozil has not been included in Arsenal's squad to face Olympiakos on Thursday. The German midfielder is missing due to personal reasons and will not feature in the round of 32 tie in Athens.
Meanwhile, Matteo Guendouzi returns to the squad after missing the Gunners' 4-0 win over Newcastle last Sunday. The Frenchman could be in contention for a starting role against Olympiakos as Lucas Torreira is currently sidelined due to illness.
However, the club have confirmed that if there is a "significant improvement" in the Uruguay midfielder's condition over the next 24 hours he could travel to join up with the rest of the squad.
Elsewhere, Pablo Mari is available to face Olympiakos but Cedric Soares, Calum Chambers and Kieran Tierney are all still sidelined.
Opta stats
- None of the eight previous meetings between Olympiakos and Arsenal have finished level, with each side winning four games each including 3/4 home wins for the Greek side.
- This will be Arsenal's ninth meeting with Olympiakos - they've only ever faced Bayern Munich more often in all European competition (12).
- Olympiakos have won just one of their last 11 knockout stage matches in major European competition (D4 L6), winning 3-0 at Osmanlispor at this stage of the 2016-17 Europa League.
- Arsenal have progressed from 11 of their last 12 two-legged knockout ties in the UEFA Cup/Europa League, falling only at the 2017-18 semi-final in this run.
- Bukayo Saka has been involved in six Europa League goals this season (2 goals, 4 assists), more than any other Arsenal player. Indeed, only three players in the competition as a whole have been involved in more goals than the 18-year-old this term.
Charlie Nicholas' prediction
I am not getting carried away after the weekend win over Newcastle. You can genuinely feel, even with Mikel Arteta's second win, that they are becoming dogged and a better all-round side. He is prepared to look at other players. If a team were to benefit from the winter break, it would have been Arsenal; they needed it. The draws were becoming a concern, as was the league position. The fans have liked what they have seen, and quite like the unity, but that is something they have been disguising for a while. He has told them a few home truths, some have accepted more than others, like Mesut Ozil, who seems to be on the up again.
Some young players are playing well. It was harsh on Gabriel Martinelli to miss out, and Mateo Guendouzi has done well, but he is not moving on at the minute; he has upset Arteta, who wants him fit; he will not be there until he sorts himself out.
Olympiakos won well at the weekend so we could be in for a good game. It is more promising for Arsenal that is for sure, but the clean sheets won't keep coming, I don't think.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (11/2 with Sky Bet)
