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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, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
PIRAEUS, GREECE – MARCH 12: Pierre Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Europa League match between Olympiacos FC and Arsenal FC at Georgios Karaiskakisstadion on March 12, 2021 in Piraeus, Greece (Photo by Eurokinissie/BSR Agency/Getty Images) /

Arsenal Team News vs Olympiacos

Providing their usual injury updates before the North London Derby against Tottenham, Arsenal reveled in something they haven’t been able to say since November 2019 with not a single senior player absent through injury. Remarkable.

So, of course, just 45 minutes after enjoying a clean bill of health, Bukayo Saka was withdrawn at half-time having felt a tightness in his hamstring.

Going on to win the match, his absence was not keenly felt. Whether the club managed to prevent long-term injury in the cautious withdrawal will be revealed closer to kick-off, but in any case there is no need to risk the 19-year-old with eager options behind him.

https://twitter.com/AFCProgramme/status/1371797538706186240

Willian and Nicolas Pepe could both start having featured as substitutes on Sunday, which would mean granting a rest to one of Odegaard or Emile Smith Rowe. Given the amount of minutes the Norwegian has played and Smith Rowe’s early substitution against Tottenham, it’s likely to be the 22-year-old in such an instance.

Arteta chose not to rotate his central defenders from the first leg for the visit of Sp*rs, therefore it would be little surprise to see Pablo Mari come in for Gabriel and perhaps even Rob Holding replace David Luiz.

As for the captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has served his punishment for tardiness, and what better way to make up for that lack of discipline than to smash in an angry European hat-trick? Arteta made it clear the decision was a one-time matter only, so he is up for selection as per usual.

Olympiacos may be forced to field Yann M’Vila in central defence once more as Ousseynou Ba continues to struggle with a back issue – the defender wasn’t deemed ready to make the bench in their most recent outing against Larissa. Meanwhile, fellow centre-back Ruben Semedo remains sidelined.

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