Arsenal News: Gunners Must Defeat Olympiakos to Quiet Drama

Olympiakos is set to visit Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal in the second game of Champions League group play. For the Gunners, they must defend home field and secure all three points to quiet the perpetual drama surrounding the team since the summer transfer window closed.

Even though Arsenal's had a mixed bag of results since the end of August, manager Arsene Wenger has remained positive and continues to try to pump confidence into his team and its supporters.

The newest set of rumors surrounds Robin Van Persie, who is under contract until 2013. Despite that fact, fans are worried because there are no ongoing discussions with the 28-year-old striker. Wenger expressed no concern over Van Persie's future, instead using the time to compare him to Lionel Messi.

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Meanwhile, the 28-year-old's goalscoring achievement is made all the more impressive by the fact he started his career at the club predominantly as a wide player. Wenger since moved Van Persie to become the focal point of the team's three-man attack, but he is far from the typical targetman, with Wenger comparing the style of his No. 10 to that of Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

"I see similarities positional-wise with Messi. He comes deep, he likes to turn up up front as well," Wenger said.

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Also in the report from ESPNsoccernet are quotes from Van Persie, who said he's not even thinking about what will happen in two years. He doesn't like to negotiate contracts during the season and remains focused on restoring order at Emirates.

Keeping the positive momentum after home wins against Shrewsbury Town and Bolton with a win against Olympiakos on Wednesday will go a long way in doing just that.

The Gunners are a sizable favorite heading into the match and can't afford to drop too many points at home if they want to advance to the next round.

Midfielder Yossi Benayoun won't be available for the game due to a side strain but, after a injury scare against Bolton, Theo Walcott is expected to be fit.

Arsenal is also hoping Alex Song can continue to keep up his current form, which might be the best of his career. The 24-year-old Cameroon international has played a solid two-way game since returning against to the lineup against Borussia Dortmund two weeks ago.

The last couple months have played out like bad dream for Arsenal, but they might finally be waking up. That said, they can't afford a setback against the Τhrylos. Momentum is a fickle phenomena and a bad loss in a big tournament could turn things for the worse once again.

However, Arsenal should pick up its third straight win with Van Persie in good form and leading the way.