Arsenal got back to winning ways after beating Newcastle United in the Premier League and in midweek they return back to the Europa League.
The Gunners topped Group F in the Europa League and in the Round of 32 they take on Olympiacos with the first leg being away from home this Thursday.
Unai Emery had managed to get past the group stages by naming a rather young and inexperienced squad but given the fact that winning the Europa League could be their best shot at moving back into the Champions League, Mikel Arteta should be putting his best foot forward when the two teams meet at the Karaiskakis Stadium.
Arsenal team news vs Olympiacos:
Shkodran Mustafi served a one-match ban for Arsenal in their final group game but the defender should be named in central defence against Olympiacos this midweek.
Pablo Mari could also make his debut for the Gunners but we don’t feel the manager will risk handing the January signing a start away in Europe especially away from home.
The defender could start in the second leg of the tie if the Gunners can wrap up the tie on Thursday itself.
Matteo Guendouzi had a training ground row with Arteta during the winter break due to which the player did not feature against the Magpies and it seems like until the matter is sorted the Frenchman could be warming the benches.
This would mean that Dani Ceballos could retain his place in the starting line-up after having started for Arsenal against Newcastle United. But there’s also a fair possibility that Lucas Torreira could start in central midfield alongside Granit Xhaka after having come off the bench during the weekend.
Mesut Ozil seems to have reinvented himself under Mikel Arteta but the German will surely be rested in midweek as Joe Willock comes into the starting line-up.
Aubameyang was also a scorer vs Newcastle United but the Gabon international could make way for young Gabriel Martinelli while Nicolas Pepe plays on the right wing.
Alexandre Lacazette has finally ended his goal drought and the Frenchman should keep his player in the starting line-up on Thursday.
Arsenal’s predicted XI vs Olympiacos:
Possible starting XI: Bernd Leno; Mustafi, Sokratis, Maitland-Niles, Sead Kolasinac; Granit Xhaka, Torreira/Ceballos, Willock; Nicolas Pepe, Martinelli, Lacazette.
