Arsenal vs Olympiacos tips and predictions: Gunners to fire past the Greeks at the Emirates?

Arsenal state of play

The Champions League is back and we’ve got the big picture with predictions for every game in matchweek 2 at FIRST. But here Arsenal look to build on their 2-0 win in Bilbao in the opening gameweek, with victory over Olympiacos at home. 

Despite Mikel Arteta showing a touch of pragmatism early in the season, the Gunners have all the tools needed to attack the Greek league leaders. 

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The Champions League remains a prestigious prize that has eluded Arsenal. But after reaching the semi finals of the competition for the first time since 2009 in the 2024/2025 campaign, the North London giants look well equipped to go one step further this time around. While also being current favourites with the bookmakers to win the Premier League title. 

Bukayo Saka is nearly back to full fitness, Viktor Gyokeres has added a much-needed extra dimension to their attack, and a midfield combination of Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi is as good as any. 

With the Gunners heading into the game on a high after coming from behind to seal a dramatic 96th-minute win over Newcastle on Sunday, they should go for the jugular against a beatable Olympiacos team. 

Olympiacos state of play

Despite starting the season brightly and sitting top of the Super League Greece, Olympiacos head into the clash as massive underdogs. 

Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side have little to lose against their big-spending Premier League opponents, but urgency is already creeping in after being held to a goalless draw at home by Cypriot champions  Pafos on matchday one.  

The Piraeus outfit boast an impressive record against Arsenal, winning six of their 12 meetings. They also secured a memorable 1-0 victory in London in 2021, though the Gunners still progressed to the Europa League quarter-finals.

While they’re expected to be under the cosh for much of the game and they’ll need to hold firm at the back, there are goals in this Olympiacos side. 

Former Inter Milan striker Mehdi Taremi has hit the ground running with two goals in his first three games, while Ayoub El Kaabi and Chiquinho have both chipped in with three apiece, underlining Olympiacos’ attacking threat.

Key talking point: Gunners’ formidable attack to break down low block? 

Arsenal will likely face a low block on Wednesday evening, with Olympiacos aiming to frustrate and snatch a goal from somewhere. 

A dangerous game to play against a home side who should be on the front foot from the first whistle, it could also serve as the perfect counter to the Gunners’ attacking firepower. 

After all, it’s an approach that proved effective when the two sides met in the 2021 Europa League knockout stages under then-manager Pedro Martins.

Want more Champions League? Here’s Tuesday’s Galatasaray vs Liverpool big match tips 

However, Olympiacos now face a very different challenge given how much Mikel Arteta’s side have evolved since the days of Nicolas Pepe, Dani Ceballos, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - three players who started that particular encounter.

Mikel Arteta’s side have scored 16 goals in their opening eight games this season, and with the club intent on making a real statement in the Champions League, Olympiacos face a mammoth task. 

While the financial gulf between the two sides makes the Greek’s potential approach entirely understandable, Arsenal could run riot. 

FIRST’s top tip

An Arsenal victory looks highly likely in this clash. While Olympiacos aren’t pushovers, the Gunners boast superior quality across the pitch and should create multiple scoring opportunities.

Pick: Arsenal to win and over 3.5 goals - 8/5 with Ladbrokes

Extra tips 

A dominant Arsenal win and a clean sheet in front of their home fans is another tempting bet, especially as it offers great value.

Pick: Arsenal to win 4-0, 5-0 or 6-0 - 5/1 with Betway

Viktor Gyokeres scored six Champions League goals for Sporting last season. I fancy the Swede to fire the Gunners to victory and get off the mark in Europe for his new club.

Pick: Arsenal win and Viktor Gyokeres anytime scorer - 19/20 with 7bet

Bukayo Saka should start after getting more minutes under his belt against Newcastle. Even if he comes on, Saka remains a strong goal threat off the bench.

Pick: Bukayo Saka anytime scorer - 11/8 with 7bet

Team news

Arsenal will be without attackers Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz for the long term. Noni Madueke is sidelined with a knee injury expected to keep him out for six to eight weeks. New defender Piero Hincapie is also likely to miss out with a minor groin problem.

On the plus side, Bukayo Saka is nearly back to full fitness, and Martin Odegaard has returned to action after a shoulder injury. Arteta may shuffle his pack in defence with Ben White and Myles Lewis-Skelly assuming the full-back positions. 

For Olympiacos, Roman Yaremchuk and Lorenzo Scipioni are sidelined, though Brazilian right-back Rodinei should return. El Kaabi should keep out new signing Taremi, at least from the start.

Arsenal vs Olympiacos predicted line-ups

Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Gyokeres (4-3-3)

Olympiacos: Paschalakis; Rodinei, Pirola, Retsos, Ortega; Hezze, Garcia; Strefezza, Chiquinho, Podence; El Kaabi (4-2-3-1)

Form guide (all competitions) 

Arsenal: LWWWLWWDWW

Olympiacos: WLLWWWDDWW 

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Odds correct at the time of writing.