Champions League
December 6, 2011
Olympiakos
3 - 1
Arsenal
Group F
19:45 +00:00, December 6, 2011
Karaiskaki Stadium, Athens, Greece
Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco
Wenger rests top Gunners
Team Stat Comparison
| Olympiakos | Arsenal | |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 6 | 6 |
| Table Position | 3 | 1 |
| Points | 9 | 11 |
| Goal Difference | 2 | 1 |
| Goals for * | 2.0 | 1.0 |
| Goals against * | 1.0 | 1.3 |
| Last 5 | W-W-L-W-L | W-L-L-W-D |
| Last 5 home | W-W-L | W-W-D-W-W |
| Last 5 away | W-L-L | L-L-W-D-W |
| * Goals per match - home matches for home club and away matches for away club | ||
| Stats: Olympiakos | Arsenal | ||
Competition Stats
| Olympiakos | Arsenal | |
|---|---|---|
| Goals |
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| Assists |
|
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| Yellows |
|
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| Squads: Olympiakos | Arsenal | ||
Manager Arsene Wenger maintains Arsenal must not worry about the players they have left behind as they look to finish their Champions League Group F campaign with victory over Olympiacos in Athens.
With qualification already secured for the knockout stages with one match to spare, Wenger elected to bring a mixed squad out to Greece - as the likes of captain Robin van Persie, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott and Alex Song all remained in London.
Despite only two of the starting XI from the weekend's Barclays Premier League 4-0 win at Wigan being in a youthful 18-man party which boarded the plane from Luton, Wenger insists Arsenal have not travelled to Greece just to make up the numbers.
"It is not who we left at home - it is who will play who is important. Before you make an early judgement, let's wait to see how our team will do,'' Wenger said.
"We have a very strong team. Many of the team have played in the first game against Olympiacos, so give the players who turn up some credit - they will produce a good performance.
"We are unbeaten and want to continue our run, and also to be respectful of everybody else in the group. We have a moral responsibility to play to win tomorrow.''
Midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong has battled his way back to fitness following a serious knee injury.
The 19-year-old is relishing another opportunity to stake his claim for a regular first-team place in what is set to be a white-hot atmosphere at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium.
"This is why you are playing for Arsenal, because you are used to dealing with this kind of stuff,'' said Ghana-born Frimpong, who came to England when he was eight and was brought up near Tottenham.
"When you are a professional footballer, you want to play in those kind of stadiums and environments.
"Tomorrow is going to be a test of character, not only for me but for others and we have to deal with it.''
The Greek side head into the game a point behind second-placed Marseille and knowing victory would send them into the last 16, provided OM do not win at Borussia Dortmund.
Olympiacos' former Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg will not underestimate the Gunners, whatever side they put out.
The Sweden international told www.uefa.com: "We have to try to win against Arsenal and then we'll see what happens in Dortmund.
"Arsenal are already through but I don't know if that'll be a big advantage.
"Who knows? Maybe Wenger will throw in all of the youngsters and they'll play an amazing game!
"We just don't know what they will do. They have a great squad and whoever plays it won't be easy for us to win. But we are playing at home and we'll focus on our own game. Hopefully we can get the win."