Champions League: Olympiakos v Arsenal match preview

A look ahead to tonight's Champions League fixture at the Karaiskakis Stadium

Simon Rice
Tuesday 04 December 2012 16:06 GMT
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (GETTY IMAGES)

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Arsenal go into this match with top spot in Group B yet to be decided. Should the Gunners win and Schalke drop points in Montpellier, Arsene Wenger's side will go through to the knock-out side as one of the seeded sides.

Yet that particular carrot doesn't seem too appealing with the Arsenal manager choosing to leave a number of regular first-team players at home. Theo Walcott, Lukas Podolski, Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker have all been rested with one eye on the weekend Premier League match against West Brom.

The match has little significance for Olympiakos either, with progress in the Champions League impossible and a place in the Europa League already assured.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7.45pm

PAST MEETINGS…

Arsenal 3 (Gervinho, Podolski, Ramsey) Olympiakos 1 (Mitroglou), Champions League, group phase, October 2012

Olympiakos 3 (Djebbour, Fuster, Modesto) Arsenal 1 (Benayoun), group phase, December 2011

Arsenal 2 (Oxlade-Chamberlain, Santos) Olympiakos 1 (Fuster), Champions League, group stage, September 2011

Olympiakos 1 (Leonardo) Arsenal 0, Champions League, group phase, December 2009

Arsenal 2 (van Persie) Olympiakos 0, Champions League, group stage, September 2009

STATS…

The teams are in the same Uefa Champions' League group for the third time in four seasons, and each of the previous five fixtures has been won by the home side.

Arsenal are involved in the group stage for the 15th campaign in a row and have qualified for the last 16 for the 13th time in succession. They are now aiming for a ninth group victory in that time. In 2011/12 Wenger's side departed in the round of 16 for the second season running.

Arsenal have the best shooting accuracy (62 per cent) and have converted the highest percentage into goals (26 per cent) in the CL this season.

Arsène Wenger takes charge of his 150th Uefa Champions League fixture on matchday six.

Giannis Maniatis, José Holebas and Kostas Manolas have played every minute of Olympiacos' group stage campaign, with Thomas Vermaelen and Mikel Arteta playing every minute of Arsenal's group stage campaign.

ODDS…

Olympiakos to win: 2

Arsenal to win: 3.75

Draw: 3.5

TV: Live on ITV1 at 7.45pm

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