Arsenal – Olympiakos FC Preview

By: Darren_v | September 27th, 2011

Olympiakos Tomorrow the highest level of club football, The European Champions League group stage, comes to Northern London for the 14th consecutive season. Arsenal have been in the Champions League since 1997, and when you realize Arsene Wenger took over the managerial position for the Gunners in October of 1996, and how every gooner nowadays expects Arsenal to be in this stage of the competition, it is an incredible achievement that goes understated much to often. For all the problems and frailties of the Arsenal, and Wenger himself lately, the history is impressive and Wenger deserves the up-most respect no matter what happens in the future, good or bad.

Match Day Two brings Olympiakos FC from Piraeaus, Greece to London. Olympiakos is the most successful club in the history of Greek football, having won 38 domestic titles, 24 Greek Cups, 4 Greek Super Cups, and is one of four clubs that has never been relegated from the first division. Since 1997, Olympiakos has won 13 Greek League titles, only missing the title in 2004 and 2010, while winning five Greeks Cups in the same time period, making them very obviously the most dominant club in Greece for 15 seasons. What is interesting for the club is that despite the unparalleled domestic success, the position of manager is an extremely fickle position.

Managers from 1996-2011

Since Bajevic was manager for 3 long seasons, Olympiakos has employed 19 managers in a span of 12 years. It’s rather incredible to me that a club can be so successful while having a managerial merry-g0-round as building a solid foundation and a sense of stability is generally thought to be a recipe for success, not constant change at the managerial position. Maybe Arsenal do have it wrong after all these years.

Olympiakos have long been present in European competition, debuting against Milan way back in 1959, and celebrated their 200th game in Europe in 2010 against Bordeaux. Their best European campaign has been advancing to the the quarter-finals, which they have accomplished twice in their history, the first in the 98-99 season where they were beaten by Juventus in the Champions League, and the second in the 92-93 season, losing to Atletico Madrid in the European Cup Winners’ Cup. The Greeks are no stranger to English clubs in Europe by now, as they have played West Ham, Tottenham, Newcastle, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal over the years. But in the 26 matches versus English sides, they have only managed 3 wins which were all home matches, against Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool. The Arsenal game they won was against Wenger’s Carling Cup squad in 2010 when the likes of Tom Cruise, Kyle Bartley Fran Merida and Kerrea Gilbert all started for the London club.

Olympiakos (red) v Panathinaikos (green) Feb 21, 2011

I have to admit when researching the player squad for Olympiakos, there was only one or two names that I even recognized. So I had to do some searching for players and playing style and the always excellent Zonal Marking gives some insight.

From that lineup above, Goalkeeper Pardo is now gone and replaced with Nikos Papadopoulos. From the four defenders, Raul Bravo has departed, and midfielder Riera has also left them, so clearly this is not going to be the lineup seen tomorrow against Arsenal. I would urge you to click on the link to Zonal Marking to get a better idea of how Olympiakos sets up and plays as I geniunely cannot add more to what Michael Cox writes.

Arsenal team new is interesting, but all rather discouraging if I am honest. We all know of the long term injuries to Abou Diaby, Jack Wilshere and Thomas Vermaelen, and there has been no news on Yossi Benayoun’s thigh injury nor Johan Djourou’s hamstring issue so we can assume they are out for this match. Adding to the injury list from the Bolton game is Theo Walcott who’s knee is not 100%, as well as Gervinho and Koscielny. Gervinho has a ‘very, very mild’ hamstring issue and Koscielny is out with an ankle problem from a late Reo-Coker tackle on Saturday. Sebastian Squillaci is not completely fit, but ’should be back in the group’ on Friday or Saturday according to Wenger. And if you were thinking that this will give Ignasi Miquel the start, well you could be wrong. Miquel was scheduled to start for the Reserves yesterday but was withdrawn during warm-up, and there is varying reports about why. Young Guns claims he was taking out of the squad due to injury, while Jeorge Bird simply states that he was a late withdrawal and sat in the stands. Injuries are coming quick and fast for Arsenal, as they always seem to do, and it will be interesting to see how Pat Rice sets the starting lineup and manages the squad while Arsene Wenger will be escorted to the stands by UEFA officials once more, serving his touchline ban. My best guess to see on the pitch tomorrow would be:

Szczesny
Sagna       Mertesacker   Song     Gibbs
Frimpong
Arteta           Ramsey
Rosicky           Van Persie    Arshavin

Subs: Flaps, Jenkinson, Santos, Coquelin, Chamberlain, Park, Chamakh

I wonder if Park or Chamberlain might get the start on the wing, but knowing Wenger’s penchant for starting known players (or ‘favorites’ as others would say), I would be surprised if Rosicky doesn’t get the start in this one. Arsenal always do well at home in the Champions League, and despite the weaker lineup, Arsenal should still take the three points in this one. My best guess at the result is an Arsenal win, 3-1.

Come on you Gunners.

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Category: Arsenal News

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Perry S.

Also, I want to mention that my 2nd favorite club - Napoli aka Arsenal's doppleganger - are making waaaaves right now! FORZA NAPOLI!!!!
Perry S.

I love Arsenal, but whoever thinks we're going to get Cavani...we missed that opportunity when he was available on the cheap (Napoli got him for 16 mill). One thing about Cavani, Lavezzi, Hamsik, they all fit Napoli's system well. I don't think Cavani would be anywhere near the same player elsewhere. He is given freedom to roam in Naples, can't see that happening at Arsenal.
Georgedb1

Good win in the CL - my beloved Internazionale will see you in the League on Sat ;)
Rico

I would like to see Miyaichi or Park get a run in and see how they handle the pressure but obviously keep RVP on the bench just in case. I agree to give AOC a chance to start since he played very well last time. What happened to Miquel? I didn't know he was injured, he seem to be a promising defend to come.
As for the match tonight, I again don't feel like we have to be wary of how they play, its more to do with if we can get our fluency going. We are the better team and shouldn't find this too much trouble.Yes, I have to say I really, really, really enjoyed CL last night. A big HA! HA! to Cliche and Nasri. Come on the Tezes stir up some more shit amongst the horrible money grabbing bast*rds! Also has everyone seen the Baliteti YouTube video where he can't even put on a bib? so funny!Man Utd we're lucky to scrap a point last night too I was very much disappointed they got the point though. They should of been well beaten.
Zamil_m10

i wish we could learn to scrap points like united
Gigi_man

wow...not a good back line I gotta say.

Not the same holding midfield than defending back.

At this stage, in UCL I mean, imo one has to respect every team that made it, remember Rubin Kazan.

Either way, a little wish in our gunners sleep, win boyz, win for us,
Zamil_m10

Song should stay in midfield, hes on a roll. Miquel or Sagna should be put in as CB. If the latter is the route we take, we have Jenkinson who we can all see is ready to play in europe
Casimir

Yeah, but Rubin Kazan gave Barca fits because they closed up shop and it's a pain for these western teams to have to travel to Russia... especially a city as far east that it is north of Kazakhstan.
Homey_Mills

Except that in 2009, Rubin Kazan also got a 2-1 AT Barcelona. But anyway, regardless of all that, we can't misunderestimate anyone with the way we operate.
Bertrand

Misunderestimate isn't a word.

And you can say that about anyone. Can't underestimate even Swansea. Or Birmingham City as it turns out.
Homey_Mills

I'm very well aware that misunderestimate isn't a word. Am I allowed to have a little fun around here?
And by the way the previous comment sounded, it was almost as if a team like Rubin Kazan should only be feared if the bigger team played them away from home.
Andylowe14

i actually think song is one of the best CB's at arsenal, the only reason he doesnt play there is because hes great in midfield as he showed against bolton, not just with the goal but all over the pitch. But he plays CB for his national team and i feel totally fine with Song and Mertesaker. Who knows what injuries we might get though..
Perry S.

I still have high confidence in tomorrow's match. However good these Greeks are domestically (not to mention the Greek league isn't all that good), they just are not that good on the international stage. We hold the trump card here, and I'm calling for a 3-1 victory.

*knocking on wood right now*
Darren_V

bah, I called the 3-1 victory first
Perry S.

Damn you! I didn't even read that, I promise!
Darren_V

all that effort put into the post, and you didnt even read it.
For shame.
Perry S.

I got through the lineup and sighed (where's the injury relief?), and then my attention moved onto the debacle at Man City.
JG

I'll take a Homey Controversial Statement (a Homequip, if you will), and say this: van Persie will not want to re-sign a contract with Arsenal, and he will want to go at the end of this season. With that, and with Tevez all-but-confirmed departure to Real Madrid after his disgusting whine at today's game, we should sell van Persie in January, and with the cash from his sale and the cash we already have, buy two of Hazard (if Lille crash out of the CL)/Benzema/Higuain/Gourcuff.
TK

If you're going to lose RVP, I think Cavani would be a more able replacement than either of Benzema or Higuain. Have you seen him?! He's not going to stay at Napoli much longer.
Perry S.

Uh why isn't he going to stay at Napoli much longer? You do realize last season they had him on loan and they sealed his contract for this season and beyond. He will be at Napoli for quite some time unless someone is willing to go in and pay over for him. He fits Napoli's system and De Laurentiis won't let him go that easily.
Perry S.

And what would you say if Lille drops from UCL (not out of the question as it stands now) and we purchase you know who in January? Me thinks RVP stays on while this club continues to build with good purchases and reinvents itself.
Homey_Mills

I just read a little more about the Tevez thing today. Wow. Is this where the wheels come off for Man City this year? I can't say I'm shedding any tears if that's the case.
Perry S.

I told you guys Man City will underwhelm at the beginning of the season because again, there are too many egos and too many stars. Not to mention, they really do have an incapable manager.
Homey_Mills

Hmmm... I doubt that much will happen in January, especially since most of those guys will be cup tied. My hope is just for Hazard in January, and RvP to stay. Under your scenario, if RvP departed, we wouldn't really need two of Hazard and Gourcuff, for instance. We'd need a replacement for RvP in front of goal.
I guess I should monitor the Tevez rumors a bit more... do you think that will happen in January? Where does Neymar factor in to all the rumors?
Homey_Mills

Nobody wants to mention the CL results from today? I just got back to a computer and saw the results. Kinda makes me smile to see the Manchester teams slipping up. And I'm secretly keeping an eye on Lille for different reasons, and it looks unlikely at this point that they'll finish in the top 2 in their group, although it's a long way from being over.
JG

Gervinho out till March, Kos out till mid-June. You heard it here first, folks.
Perry S.

Ha nice try, but not buying it.
Homey_Mills

And I thought I was the pessimist around here.
Zamil_m10

We seriously gotta release Miyaichi and the AOC sometime
Darren_V

Yep, even Jeorge Bird is saying Miquel is injured. Crazy.
Chicago Gunner

I am bracing for this match to be a disaster.
Homey_Mills

Although you're probably right about the lineup, I think it's a shame when a £13-ish million player can't start in front of Rosicky.
Also, I suspect that one of our mildly injured CDs will at least be on the bench. With the lineup you stated, there would be no cover at all if either Song or Mert were injured or sent off. Yikes.
Bertrand

Chamberlain cost 7 mil in initial fees and Park 2 mil. So who are you talking about?
Martin

To this point, interestingly, apparently several of the Reserves players (other than Coquelin) trained with the first-team today -- Aneke, a midfielder, and Boateng and Angha, both defenders. All 3 started for the Reserves yesterday, so I can't imagine Wenger really wants them involved, but it wouldn't shock if one or two of them made the bench as injury cover. With Vermaelen, Koscielny, Djourou, Squillaci, and Miquel all out, we don't really have anywhere else to turn for CB depth at the moment.
Zamil_m10

omg we have a Boateng! coolioo
Darren_V

Sagna to go CB with Jenkinson at RB if something else happens I guess...
Martin

Most likely, although Coquelin has played some RB in the past, and Gibbs even played there a few times at lower levels. Guess it just depends on how skittish Pat Rice would be about putting Jenkinson in.
Homey_Mills

Pat Rice? I have to believe that the lineup will be set by Wenger, as well as all the various contingency plans for substitutions.
Orion

So Verm, Kos, Djourou and Squizz are all out? Jeez, thats all our CD's from last year. God bless Perm and Song. Also, I too hope AOC gets the nod. From what I've seen so far, he seems up for the challenge and looks to be a player that might actually become really good.