Arsenal vs Olympiakos: Trust the attackers most desperate

Arsenal need to rotate against Olympiakos, and that means the attack as well. It’s best to trust the hungriest guys with the responsibility ahead.

Last week, in the away leg in Greece, Arsenal deployed an attack of Alexandre Lacazette up top flanked by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Gabriel Martinelli. It didn’t really work. There wasn’t enough build-up, finishing was poor, so on and so forth.

But with a one-goal lead in hand, they need to turn around, protect the lead, but also rotate. But also get some goals to expel the tension early. It’s a lot of stuff to balance, but it’s also fairly simple to approach. You just start the hungriest guys. Give them the responsibility of protecting a lead by nabbing an early goal or two.

It’s easy enough to identify the hungry guys while keeping the regulars just as hungry as ever and saved up for the return against West Ham following a much-needed lengthy break. With the FA Cup also getting in the way and further rotation there, legs can rejuvenate and hopefully some injured fellas can make more progress.

For Olympiakos though, I’m looking at three guys in particular for this attack, and all it really amounts to is switching out Aubameyang from the right wing. Because why keep him in the starting XI when you have the resources to survive without, as well as the need to see more of someone else?

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Reiss Nelson is back from injury, and if there was ever a young man desperate for a chance to get back out there, this is him. He’s had small breakthroughs this year, but all have been undermined by an inability to stay healthy. With so much talent swarming around him, he needs to get back out there.

Alexandre Lacazette may yet be hungrier. He was left on the bench against Everton and saw this attack explode yet again without him. It had to be a bit disappointing not to be restored after his substitute appearance against Newcastle and subsequent winning goal against Olympiakos, but Arteta will have made it clear what needs to happen.

And then there is Gabriel Martinelli. I didn’t think I’d be asking for him to prove more after how well this year has gone for him, but here we are with so many other players ahead of him just because he hasn’t been that relevant for a few weeks.

Trust the attack to these people and we will score early. They want it.