Arsenal Predicted Starters To Face Olympiakos

Arsenal have the biggest game of their season at midweek against Olympiakos in Greece. It will be a tough affair, but here is how Arsenal will line up to prepare for the climb.

15 years of brilliance is at stake. No matter what you may hear, qualifying for the knockout stages for 15 straight years is an accomplishment. No, they’ve never won it, but you have to put yourself in a position to win it in order to win it. For 15 straight years, Arsenal has accomplished that.

Related: Arsenal’s All-Time Starting XI

This year is the closest Arsenal has ever been to seeing that streak ended. After consecutive losses to the supposed ‘lesser two teams’ in the group, Arsenal beat Bayern Munich at home. They then followed with a loss to Bayern before beating Dinamo Zagreb. Somehow, after being put up against impossible odds, Arsenal are in control of their own destiny.

The Gunners lost 3-2 to Olympiakos at home. In order to turn that result over, Arsenal have to win either 2-0 or win while scoring three of more goals. Luckily, Arsenal is perfectly equipped to do so. Some have pointed to Arsenal’s problems with Olympiakos in the past, but this is how Arsenal lined up against Olympiakos in 2011:

Yes, we have a chance. Even with the injury plague, Arsenal has undeniable quality in so many crucial positions. With Ozil and Ramsey in the center, Arsenal have creativity and drive. With Giroud up front, Arsenal have a bonafide goal-scoring option who can be the focal point of the attack. On the wings, with Campbell and the Ox, Arsenal have two electric attackers.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

Defensively, Arsenal has been weak lately, but the names are all there to provide success.

Against Olympiakos, Arsenal is going to be dealing with a team that sits deep. They know what they have to do. They have to see off Arsenal. It will be a lot like Monaco in the knockout stages last year, only less of a gap to overcome and less of a defense to conquer. Monaco last year was the best defense in France. They had shut out PSG and led Ligue 1 in defensive prowess. Olympiakos may be dominating the Greek Super League, but in Europe they have surrendered two goals per game.

Arsenal still have several questions to answer in terms of starters, even with the injury bug. Most of them involve the defense. So let’s gets started predicting Arsenal’s starting XI to face Olympiakos.

Next: Keeper