Arsenal vs Olympiakos: 5 keys players in second leg

1. Matteo Guendouzi

I fully expect Olympiakos to come at the Gunners hard in the opening minutes. They know what kind of doubt they can inspire in the hosts if they score early, and they know how volatile the atmosphere at the Emirates can get.

Therefore, the big task for Arsenal is to be able to take the sting out of the Greek’s attack. To slow down the tempo, get in control, and take care of the ball. This falls on Matteo Guendouzi. Guendouzi did pretty well in the first leg, but he also had Granit Xhaka there to help. I’m not sure Arteta keeps Xhaka out there for this one, in the name of rotation and also in the name of getting Lucas Torreira some more game time, which it’s safe to say he desperately needs.

But even if Xhaka is out there, Guendouzi may be in a better spot than Xhaka, especially in the early going, since his athleticism is far superior. He will be far more in-tuned with tracking down the ball and finding Xhaka, if necessary, to control the tempo.

Whatever the case, Guendouzi is at the heart of it all. He has to be at his best or the entire squad will struggle to be at their best.