Arsenal vs Olympiakos: Pain In The Arsenal Predictions

It’s do or die time for Arsenal as they travel to face Olympiakos. Here are the predictions from the staff of Pain in the Arsenal.

Arsenal need a win by two goals or a win with three or more goals scored in order to progress. While the Gunners have had problems with the Greeks in the past, this is a much improved Arsenal team, even with the injuries in play. Let’s get to those predictions.

Andy: Arsenal 2-0 Olympiakos

The most important game of Arsenal’s year so far sees the Gunners travel to the Greek capital to save their Champions League season. Unfortunately for the Gunners, they are currently decimated by injuries to crucial players and need to win convincingly to progress from the group stages.

Even though playing away in the Champions League is never an easy task, Arsenal will win this game. The question is whether they can win it by enough goals to see them through. I see Wenger’s men doing what they do best and qualifying from the group stages with a nervy 2-0 victory.

Thomas: Arsenal 2-0 Olympiakos

Arsenal will play surprisingly well against Olympiacos on Wednesday. The Gunners will win 2-0 in Greece and qualify for the UCL round of 16. Walcott and Ramsey will impress, and each will grab a goal. The assist machine that is Ozil will also find at least one killer final ball to play and notch another assist, and the defense will be refreshingly solid. Wenger will win the tactical battle.

Finn: Arsenal 2-2 Olympiakos

The Gunners won – unconvincingly – at the Emirates against Sunderland at the weekend, but Olympiakos present a different challenge with much higher stakes. The Greek champions are in good form, but they will be salivating at the chance to thrash Arsenal on their home turf and qualify for the knockout rounds of the Champions League.

I expect Mesut Ozil to get stymied by a stingy Greek defense. The German play-maker’s midfield teammates will be the ones tasked with winning this game and providing assistance to striker Olivier Giroud.

The return of Theo Walcott could be a massive boost.

Forgive me for my pessimism.

Josh: Arsenal 3-1 Olympiakos

Arsenal will have the gumption to put away the Greeks early as the Mesut Ozil/Aaron Ramsey combo will prove too much to handle. Ramsey, Ozil and Giroud will nab goals. Ozil will grab two assists and Campbell will make his mark with one as well.

Naturally though, Arsenal will be unable to complete the clean sheet and as the Greeks press forward for a result, they will get one back just to make us nervous. Onward and upward, Gunners!

Nate: Arsenal 2-1 Olympiakos

As positive as I normally am, I think I may have been beaten into a pessimistic submission when it comes to Arsenal in Europe. I see us getting a victory but not enough to see us through. We’ve got some key injuries and Piraeus has always been tough for us to say the least. I’m going 2-1 Arsenal. Let’s hope I’m wrong

Nasra: Arsenal 3-1 Olympiakos

Considering the fact that tomorrow’s game is do or die, I expect Arsenal to win. Olympiacos have become Arsenal’s kryptonite in the Champions League over the past few campaigns, and it won’t be any easier for them this time around as the Greek side will be looking to qualify as well.

Two goals are not out of the question for them to score, and with Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott back, Arsenal should be able to do so if they are not wasteful in front of goal. It will be a tough away game, but Arsenal will be motivated to keep their long record of reaching the last 16 going. Goals from Giroud, Ramsey and Walcott should be enough to fire them to victory.

Jabari: Arsenal 4-1 Olympiakos

I enjoy making bold predictions. I could go with a simple 2-0 or even a 3-1 but you know what, I like the sound of 4-1 to the Arsenal. I have no real reason to believe that this how things are going to go, but I do know that we have the best No. 10 in the world, perhaps one of the most in-form strikers in the world and a hunger to advance into the round of 16.

Add that to the fact that Aaron Ramsey is back in the middle of the park and I think we have a chance to see fireworks today. I see an early goal for Arsenal followed by another one right before halftime. Olympiakos will snatch one back but I think Arsenal will look like quite comfortable throughout.

Max: Arsenal 1-0 Olympiakos

With their backs against the wall and the odds completely stacked against them, the Gunners will deliver a truly inspirational performance (anyone else notice a trend here) in Greece and dominate the match in every way a football game can be dominated in.

Nevertheless (as is the case for Arsenal in many Champions league campaigns), they will fall one goal short and be knocked out from the competition in heartbreaking fashion, failing to make the knockout stage for the first time in 16 years.

Let’s hope they can prove me wrong and win with a few goals to spare!!!