Arsenal's Champions League qualification hopes rest on a knife edge with the Gunners knowing they have to beat Olympiakos by two clear goals or more to pip their opponents to second spot in Group F.

Arsene Wenger's men are bidding to reach the last 16 of the tournament for the 16th straight season but that run is in jeopardy, not so much due to a 5-1 hammering at group winners Bayern Munich but because of defeats suffered in the opening two games, including a shock 3-2 defeat at home to the Greeks.

Arsene Wenger was particularly pleased with Saturday's 3-1 win against Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium, a victory that lifted Arsenal to second place in the Premier League.

"For our confidence, it was vital," the French coach told reporters. "I was very nervous because I knew it was a very important game for our season.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

"It is better to prepare for the [Olympiakos] game knowing we have won. The one positive thing is we know exactly what to do.

"Most of the time when we have been to Olympiakos we have not had a lot to do because we had already qualified. This time it is the opposite," added Wenger.

However, the injuries continue to pile up for the Premier League outfit who will be missing seven key players, including Chile forward Alexis Sanchez, Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere.

Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla has also been ruled out for up to four months with a knee injury to add to Wenger's woes while Francis Coquelin, Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky are continuing their rehabilitation.

But Aaron Ramsey, who scored a late third against Sunderland, is confident Arsenal can keep their streak intact. "It was never easy after the start [to the group] we had but we have done well to come back into the position that we find ourselves in and it is in our hands - we know what we have to do," the Welshman told the club's official website.

Olympiakos are relatively injury-free but Portuguese coach Marco Silva must decide whether to include fit-again Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso in place of Luka Milivojevic or Pajtim Kasami.

Brown Ideye, who spent last season at West Brom, will come back into the attack after being rested at the weekend.

Silva, who has won widespread praise for Olympiakos' European performances, has led the Greeks to 12 successive Super League victories since the season kicked off as they chase a host of club records, but Wednesday night would be a defining moment if they were to progress.

Opta stats

Arsenal have lost all three previous Champions League away games against Olympiakos, all of those have taken place on matchday six. 

The Greek side are currently unbeaten in six home Champions League ties against English opposition; winning five of those games (D1).

Arsenal have failed to keep a clean sheet in 11 of their last 12 away games in the group stage of this competition.

The Gunners will progress ahead of their Greek opponents if they win this game by at least two goals; a 3-2 win would suffice because of their superior goal difference.

Arsenal have never failed to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League since the inception of the new format in 2003/04.

Olympiakos will reach the last 16 if they avoid defeat; a 0-1 or 1-2 loss will also be enough for the Greek side.

Charlie Nicholas' prediction

Arsenal can do it, there's no doubt about that, but I'm not totally convinced that they will because the injury situation is a dramatic one.

For too many years now they've needed the big performances and they get them but somehow fall short. I mean, how can you beat Bayern Munich and still be in this situation?

Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain coming back and Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud scoring goals gives me hope. I see Arsenal scoring their two goals but I have a horrible feeling that they'll get into a good position and then concede and go out.

I really hope that I'm wrong and that this is where Petr Cech, who has been brilliant, pays back his transfer fee and more.

Charlie predictions: Arsenal win 2-1 with Ramsey to score first (40/1 with Sky Bet)

Live Ford Super Sunday

Watch Arsenal's next Premier League match at Aston Villa, live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Sunday 13 December, from 12.30pm.