The task is straightforward – defeat Olympiacos by two or more goals and Arsenal gets to play on in the tournament.
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Arsenal have made it past the group stage in the last 15 seasons, although they have been knocked out in the last 16 in each of the past five seasons.
Last season against Monaco in the last 16, Arsenal lost 3-1 at home but could only win 2-0 away as they crashed out. “For me our job is to win the next game and do what is requested” Wenger tld the club’s website (www.arsenal.com).
That might have been an easy task had the Gunners played at home but the fact that they have to travel for their final game after having played out a tough 3-1 win over Sunderland in the league might just tip the balance in the favour of the Greek side.
Wenger was quick to pay tribute to Giroud, who stepped up manfully to the role of being Arsenal’s go-to man in the absence of the injured Alexis Sanchez. That left Olympiacos needing three goals – too tall an order.
There was concern for Giroud at the start of the second half as he fell awkwardly on his ankle while helping out his defence.
Shortly after though, Arsenal got their breakthrough. It came courtesy of Giroud, who stroked home from the penalty spot after Omar Elabdellaoui’s hand blocked a shot from Nacho Monreal in the box.
For that to happen, Arsenal need their remaining key players – especially Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud – to rise to the occasion.
“But let’s not forget Olympiacos are qualified at the moment and can lose what they have”.
He added: “If we get through we will be unsafe for sure”.
HAVE TO BE FOCUSED Ozil said: “We have to be focused on the game, we have to give a really good performance”.
But a big win over Bayern Munich gave the team massive hope and then some help from this very same Bavarian foe saved the team’s campaign, giving it every chance to change its fortune on Wednesday. This is a game where we will have to be strong in our head. I don’t know. But if we play well the chances will come for goals to be scored.
“We will have to adapt to what is happening on the pitch and to all of the scenarios, accept them and respond”. Wenger’s injury list means it will be an attacking line-up but the Frenchman will go for broke with Theo Walcott likely to be on the bench. While the Greek champions thrust themselves on top early on, the Gunners looked much improved once settled into the game.
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“I’ve been playing for a long time, I’ve been in the game for a long time, ever since I was young”, he told the club’s official website.
