Arsenal v Olympiacos; Champion’s League Match Preview
It’s the match I gather few people care about at this point, but it’s a match nonetheless. With their 13th consecutive trip to the knockout stages secured, this bumper match with Olympiacos is a mere formality.
The most noticeable part of this match up will be solely on those players who are not travelling with the club. Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta, Per Mertesacker and Olivier Giroud are all comfortably in London resting their wear legs.
Interesting that Captain Thomas Vermaelen and Gervinho made the trip. However, word is that Wenger placed the blame for Saturday on them and Carl Jenkinson – so their travelling with the team looks to be some sort of punishment maybe? Any way, it’s a chance to see some players who haven’t featured regularly for the club.
Of particular interest to me is the possibility that Jernade Meade a highly promising youngster will get the nod to start as the left back. Also, Andrei Arshavin looks to feature as his time at Arsenal comes to a close. If there was ever a case to come out and make your manager think twice about you- it was tonight for Andrei.
The lack of many of the stars is a chance for the fringe players to try and shine. Given the form of many of those first teamers maybe, just maybe it is possible for a few of these players to make a case that they should be given more consideration in league matches.
The match seems meaningless and the lackof interest is both indiciative of the current frame of mind and the fact is that the outcome is only mildly of interest. If Arsenal do win at Olympiacos and Schalke lose or draw, Arsenal can finish on top of the group. Finish second, well it opens the likelihood of a date with some of the powerhouses of the tournament right now.
That’s a pretty poor statement to make isn’t it. It used to be that Arsenal were considered a powerhouse of this tournament. However, much like our league form we are one of those middle of the pack teams. On our day we might win, but more than not, we are likely to have difficulties and end up on the negative side.
The team and the fan base need something, anything to hold on to. Even a reserve team win in Greece might be just what we need.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Andrei Arshavin. The Russian is likely on his way out. However, he may yet be able show a glimpse of why he was signed those years ago. With most of the senior players at home, this is his game to shine.
Olympiacos: Roy Carroll. He was the goal keeper in between the sticks for Manchester United when they ended the Invincible run.
Projected Lineups:
Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Squillaci, Vermaelen, Meade, Ramsey, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky, Gervinho, Arshavin
Olympiacos: Carroll; Torossidis, Manolas, Siovas, Holebas; Maniatis, Modesto, Ibagaza; Fuster, Mitroglou, Abdoun.
Arsenal Injuries and Suspensions:
Arteta (ankle – late fitness test), Diaby (thigh), Szczesny (ankle), Fabianski (shoulder), Sagna (match fitness), Wilshere (match fitness), Rosicky (shin)
Leading Scorers (UCL):
Arsenal: Podolski 3
Olympiacos: Mitroglu 3
Domestic Form (last 5)
Arsenal: LDDWD
Olympiacos: WDWWD
Head to Head Tournament Stats:
|
Arsenal |
Olympiacos |
|
| Goals Scored |
9 |
7 |
| Attempts on Target |
26 |
25 |
| Attempts off Target |
14 |
22 |
| Corners |
25 |
18 |
| Offsides |
18 |
10 |
| Fouls Committed |
66 |
64 |
| Yellow Cards |
11 |
12 |
| Red Cards |
0 |
0 |
Match Official:
Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (ESP)
Assistant referees: Roberto Díaz Pérez del Palomar (ESP), Jesús Calvo Guadamuro (ESP)
Additional assistant referees: Fernando Teixeira (ESP), Javier Estrada Fernandez (ESP)
Fourth official: Juan Carlos Yuste Jiménez (ESP
Broadcast Information:
US: Fox Soccer Channel 7:00 PM EST (rebroadcast)/Fox Soccer.TV 2:45 PM
UK: ITV1 1945 GMT
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 1
Olympiacos: 1
From the Managers:
Arsène Wenger
This game comes at a good time. We have less pressure, as we are already through to the last 16 and we want to finish well and top of our group. It also gives us the opportunity to see players who have had less time on the pitch. The only pressure I feel right now is the one I always feel: to win the next game, for the team to play the football I love
. The rest doesn’t affect me at all.
I will tell my players not to be surprised by the commitment of Olympiacos. They are a historic club with huge pride. The match against us is their opportunity to show their quality. They have had a good campaign and I believe they were unlucky against us in London and against Schalke a fortnight ago. They came close to qualifying.
Leonardo Jardim
Our first goal is to win and get in the pool of strong teams in the Europa League. The mere fact that we are playing a Champions League match is incentive enough. I don’t want to compare our team with last season’s squad as the players have changed, but we would like to repeat last year’s result against Arsenal
. I’m happy that we are creating scoring opportunities and we must continue doing that. Eventually we will become more effective at converting them. I would be more concerned if we weren’t creating opportunities.
The Europa League has a lot of strong teams, including the ones that didn’t make it into the Champions League knockout phase. We want to get through the next two rounds of the Europa League and compete with the teams that are favourites to win the trophy.
Match Facts:
- Arsène Wenger takes charge of his 150th UEFA Champions League fixture on matchday six.
- In the 2-2 draw at FC Schalke 04 on matchday four, Arsenal surrendered a two-goal lead in the UEFA Champions League for only the second time.
- The 2-0 loss to Schalke on matchday three was Arsenal’s first in the group stage at home since September 2003
- In their 14th UEFA Champions League campaign, Olympiacos have failed to match their feats of both 2009/10 and
- 2007/08 when they reached the round of 16.
- Arsenal, involved in the group stage for the 15th campaign in a row, have qualified for the last 16 for the 13th timein succession and are now aiming for a ninth group victory in that time. In 2011/12 Wenger’s side departed in the round of 16 for the second season running.
- The matchday one win at Montpellier was only Arsenal’s third in their last 14 away matches in the competition proper, a run that includes eight defeats
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Carib.
did you see the images from the march?
I’ve seen many… and I can tell you there were a LOT more than 300 people involved.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZBlDLmwXwJo
This one is for Stagg – Black Scarf march.
Untold Arsenal said the turnout was only 300 people. Loyalty to the cause surely leads to distorted vision.
Kroenke just wrapped up the purchase of 120,000 acre (twice the size of Birmingham City) cattle and grain farm in the foot hills of the Rockies for a reported 80 million pounds.
Could this be used to put Arsene out to pasture so to speak. Would be an ideal job for AW, he knows how to turn a profit and could sell off all the good bulls for big money and replace them with cheaper and less quality ones from France. Plus, he would be supreme king of his own city and instead of hearing boos, he would only be subjected to moos.
BTW – First Arsenal game I have not watched in 9 years when i had every opportunity to do so and merely just found something else to do instead.
This is meant as a response to kiwi, but posted here, because, well, I don’t know….maybe because we “should” try and avoid the urge to sarcasm…. (Kidding, of course…..your contributions are much appreciated.)
There is no path forward but observation and hope, in football, as in all things. Wenger was nobody when he arrived but had sufficient success to sell his vision upwards to people who have made (or are currently making buttloads of money). The money is given willingly by “supporters,” people who could probably use it in better ways, to people who only use it to keep score. In a world where money screams (or at least shouts) why would Arsene Wenger, Ivan Gazidis, Peter Hill-Wood or Stan Kroenke listen to those who have so little (the supporters) when the collective voice of their money continues to flow in?
All the correspondents here make good points. Kiwi about the many relationships in play, CK about Kronke and his intriguing exploitation of “new” media in the “Wild West” of football (soccer) rather than his usual manipulation of public/private real estate partnerships in the US. Can Kroenke make the top 10 or top 5 of the Forbes list before he “retires”, (by which I mean goes senile or dies)?….Hard to say, Rams to Los Angeles on the back of California taxpayers is the lynchpin, Arsenal are just a curious blip on his screen, but hopefully he enjoys the “cultural variety” in the passion of sports fans….Well reported in this space by our very own man from Boston. Sorry Stag, but your Arsenal is long, long gone. At least you seem to be increasingly aware of it…..
Finally, I have to say I really admire the DAG for keeping this space open (I miss the GDC badly, however). As I wrote the other day (too long for any replies) I’m still hopeful and I think there is a good chance the various parties can get it together and avoid relegation (from the CL). Management in these situations is all about perspective. You must avoid the highs and lows and just keep trying to improve while winning the 6 pointers. We’ve got one vs WBA on Saturday…
Longer term it’s a real worry. Can the manager make the right personnel and on-field decisions? Last night’s evidence suggests….not without a bunch of luck. Rosicky and Arshavin were probably the “best” players last night which makes sense given the (frankly ridiculous) money the club has put into them. The next tier of investments, Gervinho and Ramsey were probably the next most productive, while the “prospects” or bigger gambles, Sneezy, Jenkinson, Vermaelen and Coquelin surely cannot be expected to carry the team, nor should the smoking greaseball up top (Chamakh)….At least he cost zero, on the front end….
Onwards….Who knows? Maybe we’ll get a manageable draw for the Elims AND the team will have risen from this low point AND added a key player or three in January–Keep in mind, however, that Arshavin is what we got last time we got desperate this time of year….. So, I’ll indulge my hope, while maybe (deeper down) carrying the fear that we’ll be in Chelsea’s shoes (needing to win the CL to avoid relegation) and our spine of saavy veterans (Drogba/Lampard/Terry/Cech), let’s say, er, RVP, Cesc, Tony Adams and David Seaman, isn’t holding together quite as convincingly….
ummm. RVP was SOLD to ManU… the club could have sold him anywhere. They CHOSE to sell him to a rival.
and…
do you believe he was wrong to leave? I think he saw exactly what Arsenal and Arsene are… and he didn’t want any part of it…
that was supposed to be a reply to Kiwi, but it posted by itself?
Not slightly interested in today’s match.
Actually glad we lost.
Didn’t matter in terms of qualification, and makes Wenger answer for losing AGAIN.
Wenger essentially forfeited this game by putting out a B team with a few first-team ring-in’s.
The mysterious Tomas Rosicky made a guest appearance to explain his premium position in the AFC salary ranks. Has any player been paid so much for so little? Ever? Oh yes, Diaby and Robin van Persie are similar stories during the Arsenal desert years. And when Van Persie’s fitness looked to have improved what happened? Oh yes he joined our most hated rivals. Brilliant on all counts.
Forgive the sarcasim. Unbecoming perhaps… but somewhat therapeutic during these mindnumbing times as an Arsenal supporter.
We can take solace that there is no crisis. Wenger points us to ‘the statistics’. As though we’re all slight dense and he is enlightened. The statistic he chose to quote was the one loss in the last seven games thing. You convinced? Didn’t think so. He’s a master of diversion is our Arsene. Whenever he’s quizzed on Arsenal’s track record of not winning anything for seven years he diverts the discussion to our CL qualification – which isn’t the point is it. Now, that we’re falling out of the title race in November (yet again) he diverts the discussion to our record over the last 7 games. I mean, how spinny. Don’t discuss what is important to the fans – like winning something, just reframe the discussion and justify your performance by rewriting the whole point of football. He really has become an arrogant little smuck.
His is an example of what happens when one starts thinking a little too highly of oneself and gets into the habit of ignoring advice from any source. I mean, who provides a check and balance to Wenger at all? In his mind he’s beyond criticism. I caught a little glint of this emerging danger some years ago when Wenger, in reference to Dein, spoke slightly dismissively of his (Dein’s) role. I was slightly perturbed at the time but set it aside thinking Wenger was that stupid. Maybe he is…