AGONA Profile: Arsenal, gunning to shoot Olympiacos down in UEL knockouts

The AGONA Profile takes a closer look at Arsenal, who will take on Olympiacos in the Last 32 of the UEFA Europa League.

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It’s one of the toughest possible draws for Olympiacos. Before the draw process began, Olympiacos hoped to avoid the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Internazionale, but they were subsequently pitted against the Gunners, much to the disappointment of the Erythrolefki faithful.

Nevertheless, despite the daunting task which Olympiacos have been charged with, Arsenal’s shaky form over the space of the last few years gives the Greeks hope of causing a shock.  A solid victory in the first leg in Piraeus, preferably without conceding any away goals, would put Olympiacos in a great position.

Arsenal, formed in 1886, have become English champions on 13 occasions, with their most recent title having been earned in the 2003/2004 season as the Londoners completed the campaign unbeaten. No team in England has since won the league without conceding a single defeat.

In their glittering history, the Gunners have also won the FA Cup 13 times, the League Cup two times, the FA Community Shield 15 times and the 1993/1994 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. Arsenal also claimed the 1969/1970 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

However, Arsenal are yet to win either the UEFA Champions League or the Europa League. In 2000, the English giants conceded defeat to Galatasaray in the final of the UEFA Cup (now known as the Europa League), before they were beaten by Barcelona in the showpiece game of the 2005/2006 Champions League in Paris. Arsenal were defeated 4:1 by London rivals Chelsea in last season’s Europa League final

This is the third consecutive season when Arsenal have not competed in the Champions League. Struggling to compete with the best in England, Arsenal have suffered a gradual decline in the past decade, something which resulted in Arsene Wenger leaving the club after the 2017/2018 campaign. Last season, Arsenal did reach the Europa League final with Unai Emery at the helm, but they could only finish in fifth place of the Premier League.

Interestingly, Arsenal currently have two Greeks on their books in the form of Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Konstantinos Mavropanos, both centre-backs. This season, Papastathopoulos has received a wave of criticism from Arsenal fans for his unreliable showings in defence, while Mavropanos rarely receives a chance with the first team.

At the back, Arsenal certainly have their weaknesses, but their firepower is second to none with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe and Alexandre Lacazette capable of breaching any defence in the world. 

In the group stage of the Europa League, Arsenal topped Group F with 11 points, sitting ahead of Eintracht Frankfurt, Standard Liege and Vitoria Guimaraes. Arsenal occupy a lowly 10th place of the Premier League with a mere five victories from 17 games.

Full name: Arsenal Football Club

Formed: October 1886

Owner: Stan Kroenke

Stadium: Emirates Stadium (Capacity 60,704)

Major honours: 13 English Premier Leagues, 13 FA Cups, 2 League Cups, 15 FA Community Shields, 1 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, 1 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup

HEAD COACH

Until late November, Emery was the Arsenal boss, but he was dismissed following a dreadful run of form. Freddie Ljungberg subsequently became the interim manager, but, on December 20, Mikel Arteta was appointed the new permanent head coach.

Arteta, 37, only finished his playing career in 2016, and he fittingly hung up his boots after spending five years at Arsenal. The Spaniard previously made his name in England with Everton.

Following the completion of his days as a professional footballer, Arteta immediately became the assistant coach at Manchester City, helping Pep Guardiola win the Premier League twice. Arteta earned a glowing reputation with the organisation.

KEY PLAYERS

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is, without doubt, the star man at the Emirates. A true goalscorer, the 30-year-old Gabonese forward has been a shining light for Arsenal since he transferred from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018, taking a leading role with his important goals and leadership qualities - he is the Gunners’ captain. In the 2019/2020 season, Aubameyang has competed in 21 games to date, scoring 13 goals and dishing out one assist.

Strike partner Alexandre Lacazette is just as important to the team. The 28-year-old, born in Lyon, moved to Arsenal from his hometown club in July 2017, and his workrate and desire are crucial. In 13 games in all tournaments, Lacazette has netted six goals and made one assist in the 2019/2020 campaign, regularly threatening the opponents with his determined approach. Olympiacos defenders will have to be at their best.

Gabriel Martinelli has burst onto the scene. Only 18 years of age, the teenage Brazilian forward has been a revelation for Arsenal, gaining a spot in the first team and producing fantastic, productive performances on the pitch. Eight goals and three assists are proof of his talent.

MATCHES AGAINST OLYMPIACOS

Arsenal and Olympiacos are certainly no strangers.

Between 2009 and 2019, the two sides have met eight times, with both Arsenal and Olympiacos claiming four wins each:

Arsenal - Olympiacos - 3-0 (2009/2010 UEFA Champions League)

Olympiacos - Arsenal - 1-0 (2009/2010 UEFA Champions League)

Arsenal - Olympiacos - 2-1 (2011/2012 UEFA Champions League)

Olympiacos - Arsenal - 3-1 (2011/2012 UEFA Champions League)

Arsenal - Olympiacos - 3-1 (2012/2013 UEFA Champions League)

Olympiacos - Arsenal - 2-1 (2012/2013 UEFA Champions League)

Arsenal - Olympiacos - 2-3 (2015/2016 UEFA Champions League)

Olympiacos - Arsenal - 0-3 (2015/2016 UEFA Champions League)

by Shaun Nicolaides

Image Source: to10.gr

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