Pain in the Arsenal
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Olympiacos vs Arsenal preview: How to watch, predicted lineups, score prediction & injury updates

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 27:Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 27:Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Olympiacos
Olympiacos vs Arsenal preview: Thursday’s Europa League last-16 tie in Athens. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

Arsenal return to Athens on Thursday to face Olympiacos in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium. Here is the match preview.

All was well post-round of 32 as Arsenal dramatically turned around a 2-1 scoreline on the night to secure their place in the next phase of the Europa League courtesy of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s last-minute winner.

Taking that victory in their stride and heading to Leicester at the King Power Stadium with changes aplenty, a superb performance resulted in another comeback victory, this time much more comfortable as the Gunners ran out deserved winners in the Premier League.

With ‘little ol’ Burnley’ up next before European ventures, confidence was at a season-high and few fixtures have enjoyed a build-up not dominated by nerves and fear.

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Olympiacos vs Arsenal preview: Thursday’s Europa League last-16 tie in Athens

Aubameyang’s sixth minute goal set the tone for what should have been a comfortable three points, only for Arsenal to resort to old ways – which is unfair terminology as ‘old’ indicates shooting themselves in the foot hasn’t happened multiple times in recent weeks – with a dreadful error gifting Burnley an undeserved point.

Still with the chances to not only win the game but do so handsomely, everything that’s gone wrong this season manifested itself into a 94-minute long dentist appointment. It hurt then and it still has a numbing effect now.

Unless one felt a rousing surge for a top four/five/six/whatever spot was genuinely on the cards and Arsenal were going to go on an unbeaten run to coincide with inadequacies from those above, it doesn’t alter the season’s goals too much; if Arsenal want to play in Europe next season they need to win the Europa League.

Starting with a two-legged affair against Olympiacos, the road ahead is tough.

Will it be individual mistakes or a lack of ruthlessness that costs Mikel Arteta’s side this time? If neither are the culprits, then victory is a more than achievable result. Arsenal can beat Olympiacos, but Arsenal can also beat Arsenal. It’s huge.

How to Watch on TV

When Is Kick Off? Thursday 11 March
What Time Is Kick Off? 20:00 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium
TV Channel/Live Stream? BT Sport (UK) fuboTV (USA)
Referee? Daniel Siebert