Arsenal vs Olympiakos (Emirates Stadium) KO:19:45

DenMan

Met in the group stages last season with both clubs winning at home and losing away. Diaby out for at least three weeks and a late fitness test for Arteta to see if he's available to play. The Gunners defeated Montpellier on match day one while the Greeks went down to Schalke.

Live on Sky Sports 4 and Setanta Ireland. Team news to follow later when available.

Looking forward to this. Going for a nervy 2-1 win for Arsenal. Fingers crossed it will be more and no nerves.

aperture_nuig

Should be an interesting match, but Arsenal will have too much for Olympiakos, 3-0.

Frisbee

A win tonight and in the next game are a must really as away trips to Schalke and Olympiacos will be tough.

Hopeful of a win tonight, especially at home, and hopefully some goals for Giroud.

DenMan

I hope Arteta does play because he has a wonderful understanding with Cazorla as they play brilliant together. Ramsey or Coquelin if he doesn't make it. Then again Wenger might go with three in midfield.

thebison

Setanta are showing the game on Freeview for anyone without Sky Sports

‏@SetantaSports
We will be showing Arsenal v Olympiakos Champions League match on FREEVIEW this evening. Coverage from 7.40pm on Setanta Ireland #afc

wandatowell

Is this the earliest we've ever had an match day thread for an Arsenal game?

Somebody usually throws one together 10 mins before kick off


A win here will be huge if Arsenal pull it off.


Looking at 3-1 to Arsenal with all Arsenal goals coming in the first half

GavRedKing

I have ye lot in an accum tonight so ye better win. :mad: :pac:

DenMan

Who else do you have tonight Gav?

GavRedKing

DenMan wrote: »

Who else do you have tonight Gav?

I've City (21/20), Arsenal (2/7) & PSG (21/20) in a treble with PP for 4/1. €20

Kind of dodgy as I think Porto away will be a tough game.

Have a hail mary one too, City, Arsenal, PSG/Porto Draw, Real, D Kyiv, Schalke 04, Malaga.

€2.50 returns something like €140.

DenMan

Via the BBC. Confirmed line-ups!

LINE-UPS- Arsenal v Olympiakos

Arsenal: Mannone, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Cazorla, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Podolski. Subs: Shea, Andre Santos, Giroud, Walcott, Ramsey, Djourou, Arshavin.

Olympiakos: Megyeri, Diakite, Manolas, Contreras, Holebas, Siovas, Maniatis, Greco, David Fuster, Paulo Machado, Mitroglou. Subs: Carroll, Modesto, Ibagaza, Pantelic, Lykogiannis, Diogo, Abdoun.

Referee: Svein Oddvar Moen (Norway)

MaxPower89

Surprised to see the same CB partnership, but a solid team all the same.

Marty McFly

We need to start getting some wins under our belts feeling kinda nervous about this one, weve been performing well at times just need it to click more consistently in the final third.

Marty McFly

Oh noooo not feckin Niall Quinn commentating again that man would give an asprin a headache when commentating.

emergingstar

Mert has flu

Frisbee

Arsene didn't look too impressed with what Roy was saying there did he?

wandatowell

The Greeks are missing four first team players................happy days!

Leprechaun77

I don't like the Vermaelen/Koscielny partnership. They offer too much of the same. I think Mertesacker gives us more solidity from long balls and set pieces.

Edit:is Mert injured tonight?

DenMan

Arsene Wenger having a chat with Roy Hodgson there. Wonder what they were talking about! Anyways...Come on Arsenal!!!

wandatowell

and thats exactly why Vito wont be the No. 1

wandatowell

Great play from Ox

Marty McFly

Well played by Gibbs.

Very misty Emirates Stadium.

Frisbee

Pretty disappointing looking attendance, half the seats on the far side look empty.

Mickeroo

Leprechaun77 wrote: »

I don't like the Vermaelen/Koscielny partnership. They offer too much of the same. I think Mertesacker gives us more solidity from long balls and set pieces.

Edit:is Mert injured tonight?

Someone said he's ill.

Frisbee

Frisbee wrote: »

Pretty disappointing looking attendance, half the seats on the far side look empty.

Hopefully it's the weather that added to that.

wandatowell

Frisbee wrote: »

Pretty disappointing looking attendance, half the seats on the far side look empty.

I think those seat are the slightly more expensive tickets and I'm guessing for a not so competitive Champions League game they wouldn't sell as easily.

gandalf

Phew I thought that was going to be a red for Kos!

Marty McFly

Thats a better chance than we have had in 30 mins of dominating possession.

Frisbee

Gervinho is doing well with his movement but as per usual once he actually gets the ball it all goes downhill. We could do with getting Giroud on. Preferably for Oxo.

Holebas, or is his name bashole.
Not a great half so far.

gandalf

We need a focal point for the attack. Giroud needs to come on and either Gervinho taken off or moved to the wing in place of Ox.

Frisbee

Jayzus serious let off there. If Olympiacos score we'll be in trouble as they'll sit back even further.

Marty McFly

We were blessed there terrible miss.

1 attempt to their 4, this is not good.

greendom

Sloppy, not looking committed - it's the worst I've seen Arsenal play this season; we should be behind

greendom

gandalf wrote: »

We need a focal point for the attack. Giroud needs to come on and either Gervinho taken off or moved to the wing in place of Ox.

Based on the first half I'd go for the 2nd of those 2 options. ox has been woeful

greendom

Jjenks is doing well and can't be blamed for the poor performance

Gervinho phewwww

greendom

GERV!!!

gandalf

OMG Gervinho, ok he can stay on now

Frisbee

G'wan the Lightbulb!

Marty McFly

Nice Gervinho, that barely dribbled over the line :pac:.

Delighted with this first half. So far this week we're unbeaten with a perfect defensive record.

iMuse

Gervingoal

bad2dabone

Gerv! Ledge!

Frisbee

Still think we should be pushing Gervinho out right and put Giroud up front for the second half.

bad2dabone

Frisbee wrote: »

Still think we should be pushing Gervinho out right and put Giroud up front for the second half.

agree - I want Gerv on the wing and the big man up front. The hunk.

Frisbee

Frisbee wrote: »

Still think we should be pushing Gervinho out right and put Giroud up front for the second half.

No, we're winning therefore what we're doing is perfect. If we leave things as they are based on the flow of the game we'll win 2-0.

greendom

Wake up FFS!!

Frisbee

Jesus Chrit what the fúck is going on with Vermaelen and Koscielny?!?

bad2dabone

do i not like that!