Arsenal vs. Olympiakos: Arsene Wenger's Key Comments from Pre-Match Presser

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confessed that Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Olympiakos is a must-win game at his press conference on Monday.  

The Gunners lost the opening match of the group stage 2-1 away at Dinamo Zagreb, heaping big pressure on themselves to get a result in the fixture against the Greek giants.

“You sum it up well,” Wenger said, per John Cross of the Daily Mirror (h/t Hamish Mackay of the Daily Mirror). “You must win your home games, it’s as simple as that.”

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Topping the group was always going to be tough with Bayern Munich in situ, but the Gunners’ hopes of qualifying were dealt a major dent with the loss in Croatia. And while Arsenal did rest players for that match, Wenger also claimed Tuesday’s team will be selected with Sunday’s clash with Manchester United in mind, per Cross.

Olympiakos are a decent outfit, and they will be hoping to bounce back themselves after a disappointing loss to Bayern at home on Matchday 1. Wenger revealed he expects them to come to the Emirates Stadium and attack, insisting his side need to be ruthless in front of goal, per the Arsenal Twitter feed:

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Arsenal will already be without Olivier Giroud, who was sent off against Zagreb, and Wenger had some more updates on players who could miss this match with fitness woes.

Unfortunately for the Gunners, the manager confirmed both Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta will miss the game, meaning options in the holding midfield spot will be a little light, especially with Francis Coquelin still a doubt for this one, per James Olley of the London Evening Standard:

Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also spoke at the press conference and was full of praise for his team-mate Alexis Sanchez, who bagged a hat-trick against Leicester City in a 5-2 victory at the weekend:

The England international also reflected on making his Champions League debut against Olympiakos in 2011, a match in which he scored and Arsenal captured a 2-1 win:

After losing away to Dinamo in their last European outing, getting back to winning ways at the Emirates is absolutely imperative for the Gunners, especially with back-to-back games against German giants Bayern to come. Anything other than a win here and Arsenal will find it tough to progress, never mind top the group.

Olympiakos are a capable team and a side that will exploit any frailties in the midfield. But if Arsenal turn up with purpose, apply some early pressure and set a positive tempo, they should be too strong for their opponents. By contrast, if the Greeks are allowed time to settle into the game, things could get frustrating quickly for the Gunners.