Arsenal vs. Olympiacos: Players to Watch and Prediction

Santi Cazorla of Arsenal

In a way, the 2012-13 season has meant rebuilding for both Arsenal and Greek champions Olympiacos. Still, both clubs will have a few players who, since August, have proven to be capable of transforming any match in their club’s favor.
During the summer, the Gunners lost captain Robin van Persie to rivals Manchester United, while star-performer and midfield enforcer Alex Song also left for Barcelona. Up-and-comer Jack Wilshere has still not fully recovered from a long term injury and constant injury-problems continue to trouble Abou Diaby, both missing out on today’s match.

Nevertheless, the purchase of Spain international Santi Cazorla for a meager £16m from Malaga has paid dividends for Arsenal as the player has shown his tremendous ability at disrupting opposing defenses with his combination of precise passing and ball skill.
Cazorla’s playmaking ability will be worth nothing if Arsenal’s strikers do not begin to step up and show their worth. New arrivals Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski are still settling into the team, but keep your eyes on last season’s big purchase from Lille, Gervinho.
The Ivorian scored in his last match against Chelsea and has the pace and slickness to trouble a potentially slow and compact Olympiacos defense.
Olympiacos, on the other hand, lost veteran centre-back Olof Mellberg to Villarreal and impressive Belgian forward Kevin Mirallas to Everton in the last transfer window.
However, Algerian forward Rafik Djebbour has continued the impressive form he showed last season and already managed 6 goals in 4 matches in the Greek league as Olympiacos sit in top-spot with 15 points.
Djebbour, who could prove deadly on the counter-attack, will need the help of 35-year-old midfield creator Ariel Ibagaza to pierce an Arsenal defense that is at times very shaky and has a tendency of leaking easy goals.
The last time these two clubs met in the Champion’s League was in 2011 in Greece, when the home club blasted the London club with three goals. The final score in that match was 3-1.
Today, expect a reversal of fortunes, with Arsenal building on their previous away victory to Montpellier with a 3-1 victory as Olympiacos fall to their second-straight CL defeat.
Players to Watch: Santi Cazorla, Gervinho (Arsenal); Ra, Ariel Ibagaza (Olympiacos)
Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Olympiacos
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