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

By Ross Kennerley

PIRAEUS, GREECE - MARCH 11: Martin Ødegaard of Arsenal celebrates with team mates after scoring their side's first goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 First Leg match between Olympiacos and Arsenal at Karaiskakis Stadium on March 11, 2021 in Piraeus, Greece. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
PIRAEUS, GREECE - MARCH 11: Martin Ødegaard of Arsenal celebrates with team mates after scoring their side's first goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 First Leg match between Olympiacos and Arsenal at Karaiskakis Stadium on March 11, 2021 in Piraeus, Greece. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal vs Olympiacos preview: Europa League last 16 second leg tie – How to watch, predicted lineups, score prediction & injury updates. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images) /

Arsenal host Olympiacos in the second leg of their Europa League last 16 tie commanding a healthy 3-1 aggregate lead from the first meeting in Athens. Here is the match preview.

Martin Keown was quizzed on what Arsenal would want from their first encounter with Olympiacos in Athens, responding that they’d be after a ‘1-0 win’. Funnily enough, that was the worst form of victory that could have secured. 5-4 would’ve been more welcome.

So to come away from the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium with three away goals in the bag and just once conceded constitutes a pretty perfect result. There were periods of the game that left something to be desired, and the manner of the appalling goal conceded still tasting bitter in the mouth, but they’re in pole position to reach the quarter-final stage of the competition as a result of their healthy lead.

Martin Odegaard’s screamer was added to by another two superb goals, firstly from Gabriel, whose header will be among the best seen all season across the continent. It was that good. Mohamed Elneny then added gloss to the scoreline with a long-range pinger, which was obviously exactly why he was brought on in the first place.

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Arsenal vs Olympiacos preview: Europa League last 16 second leg tie

That results entails that if Olympiacos are to produce an unthinkable comeback they will have to score at least three goals.

Call a spade a spade, this is Arsenal’s to lose.

Having 60% of the ball in the first leg, the onus is on the Greek side to throw caution to the wind in search of a memorable victory, one that leaves Arsenal’s already improving attack with greater space to operate in.

After an energy sapping 2-1 win over Tottenham, Arteta may be inclined to make further changes to his side with West Ham to come shortly after before the international break, or he may start strongly and make full use of the five substitutions at his disposal.

Morale is high and the odds are firmly stacked in the hosts’ favour. They can’t let it slip, can they?

How to Watch on TV

When Is Kick Off? Thursday 18 March
What Time Is Kick Off? 17:55 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Emirates Stadium
TV Channel/Live Stream? BT Sport (UK) fuboTV (USA)
Referee? Per Eliasson

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