OLYMPIAKOS vs ARSENAL PREVIEW

  VS    

Arsenal's Champions League qualification hopes rest on a knife edge with the Gunners knowing they have to beat Olympiakos by two clear goals or more to pip their opponents to second spot in Group F.

Arsene Wenger's men are bidding to reach the last 16 of the tournament for the 16th straight season but that run is in jeopardy, not so much due to a 5-1 hammering at group winners Bayern Munich but because of defeats suffered in the opening two games, including a shock 3-2 defeat at home to the Greeks.

Arsene Wenger was particularly pleased with Saturday's 3-1 win against Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium, a victory that lifted Arsenal to second place in the Premier League.

"For our confidence, it was vital," the French coach told reporters. "I was very nervous because I knew it was a very important game for our season.

"It is better to prepare for the [Olympiakos] game knowing we have won. The one positive thing is we know exactly what to do.

"Most of the time when we have been to Olympiakos we have not had a lot to do because we had already qualified. This time it is the opposite," added Wenger.

Aaron Ramsey scored a late third against Sunderland at the weekend

However, the injuries continue to pile up for the Premier League outfit who will be missing seven key players, including Chile forward Alexis Sanchez, Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere.

Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla has also been ruled out for up to four months with a knee injury to add to Wenger's woes while Francis Coquelin, Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky are continuing their rehabilitation.

But Aaron Ramsey, who scored a late third against Sunderland, is confident Arsenal can keep their streak intact. "It was never easy after the start [to the group] we had but we have done well to come back into the position that we find ourselves in and it is in our hands - we know what we have to do," the Welshman told the club's official website.

Alexis Sanchez injured his hamstring in Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Norwich

Olympiakos are relatively injury-free but Portuguese coach Marco Silva must decide whether to include fit-again Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso in place of Luka Milivojevic or Pajtim Kasami.

Brown Ideye, who spent last season at West Brom, will come back into the attack after being rested at the weekend.

Silva, who has won widespread praise for Olympiakos' European performances, has led the Greeks to 12 successive Super League victories since the season kicked off as they chase a host of club records, but Wednesday night would be a defining moment if they were to progress.

MATCH FACTS

• Arsenal have lost all three previous Champions League away games against Olympiakos, all of those have taken place on matchday six.
• The Greek side are currently unbeaten in six home Champions League ties against English opposition; winning five of those games (D1).
• Arsenal have failed to keep a clean sheet in 11 of their last 12 away games in the group stage of this competition.
• The Gunners will progress ahead of their Greek opponents if they win this game by at least two goals; a 3-2 win would suffice because of their superior goal difference.
• Arsenal have never failed to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League since the inception of the new format in 2003/04.
• Olympiakos will reach the Last 16 so long as they avoid defeat; a 0-1 or 1-2 loss will also be enough for the Greek side.
• Arsenal have conceded a competition-high three goals from corners whilst no side has scored more from a corner this season than Olympiakos (2) in the Champions League.
• Olympiakos scored three goals from just four shots on target when these sides met earlier this season.
• Arsenal could be without Alexis Sanchez, he has been directly involved in seven of Arsenal’s nine Champions League goals this season (three scored and four assists).
• Felipe Pardo has been involved in three of the last four Champions League goals scored by Olympiakos (two scored and an assist); he scored in the reverse fixture too.