Olympiakos again! Can Arsenal get past the Greek giants this time?

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Olympiakos again! Can Arsenal get past the Greek giants this time?

By Peter White

So, there we have it. Arsenal remain in the hunt for 2020/21 Europa League glory, but they will have to get the better of last year’s foes Olympiakos if they are to progress to the quarter-finals, following Friday’s draw. 

Having exited the competition at the hands of the Greek giants last season, the Gunners ensured they progressed at least one stage further this time around by getting the better of Portugal’s Benfica in the last 32, albeit in dramatic style. 

Following a 1-1 first-leg draw in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put the Gunners on course for victory in the ‘home’ fixture, with a 21st-minute opener in the Karaiskakis Stadium in Athens. 

Diogo Goncalves’ free-kick levelled terms once again and Rafa Silva put Benfica ahead with a crucial second away goal, leaving Mikel Arteta’s charges needing to find the net twice with less than half-an-hour remaining. 

Kieran Tierney popped up with an unlikely goal from defence 23 minutes from time - becoming the first Scottish player to score in a major European competition for Arsenal since 1980 - before Aubameyang struck again at the death to seal the win. 

After squeezing past arguably one of the strongest-looking sides remaining in the draw at Olympiakos’ home venue, Arsenal were paired with Pedro Martins’ side for the second year running, this time at the last 16 stage. 

Arsenal last suffered back-to-back eliminations at the hands of the same club in 2014 - Bayern Munich - but while Arteta will be wary of the threats posed by the Greek Super League champions, he will surely be confident of a route into the last eight. 

Having avoided big-hitters in the draw such as AC Milan, Ajax and English rivals Spurs and Manchester United, hopes will be high that the 2018/19 runners-up can take another step towards May’s Gdansk final. 


What happened last time?

A 1-0 win in Greece last year had seemingly seen Arsenal take a giant leap towards victory against Olympiakos last time out, with Alexandre Lacazette netting in the 81st minute to give the north Londoners the upper hand. 

In what was a largely even contest for much of the match, Lacazette’s decisive winner marked his second in two games after a nine-game goal drought, having got on the scoresheet in a 4-0 win at home to Newcastle four days earlier.

Youssef El-Arabi

Back in the English capital a full-strength Arsenal line-up were frustrated by an Olympiakos side who levelled the tie shortly after half-time through Pape Abou Cisse, with the hosts unable to find the target at all until the 77th minute. 

In extra-time, Aubameyang appeared to have won it for Arsenal with a smart scissor-kick, but on the brink of full-time Youssef El Arabi poked home to make it 2-1. 

Aubameyang should have grabbed a second with the last kick of the match but skewed wide, and the sound of referee Davide Massa’s whistle subsequently brought Arsenal’s 2019/20 European adventure to a disappointing end. 

While Olympiakos were knocked out in the next round by Premier League outfit Wolves, Arsenal would go on to secure qualification for this year’s competition by winning the FA Cup, beating Chelsea 2-1 in the final. 


What Arsenal can expect

Arsenal have faced Olympiakos ten times in the last 12 years with the wins being split evenly, and the Gunners will certainly be coming up against a side full of confidence thanks to their blistering domestic dominance. 

While they brushed past Dutchmen PSV Eindhoven to set up a meeting with Arteta’s side on the continent, back at home Olympiakos have a 12-point lead at the top of the league, and they will surely fancy their chances of an upset once again. 

Among those likely to be fully fired up for the clash is defender Sokratis, who signed a two-year deal in Greece after leaving Arsenal by mutual consent in January. 

El-Arabi scored the all-important winner in the last meeting between the sides and has established himself as one of the leading marksmen in Europe in 2020/21, with 19 goals in all competitions. 

Among Olympiakos’ other main threats is French veteran Mathieu Valbuena, 36, who may be heading towards the end of his career but is still capable of moments of magic, having provided eight assists in all competitions so far this season. 

Having beaten the likes of Marseille and run Manchester City close in the Champions League during the current campaign before dropping into the Europa League, Martins’ men will certainly be up for the task of downing Arsenal for a second successive season.

Photo Credit: Getty Images 

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