Smith Rowe on the bench, 25-year-old returns: Predicted Arsenal XI vs Olympiacos

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Arsenal take on Olympiacos in Greece tomorrow in what is Mikel Arteta’s biggest game of the season yet.

Winning the Europa League is the only way Arsenal can look at this campaign as an acceptable one. We’ve been shockingly poor in the Premier League, and we’ve already been knocked out of the cups as well.

Arsenal have to get past Olympiacos tomorrow and Arteta has to get his team spot on.

Bellerin starts, ESR on the bench

Bernd Leno will keep his place in goal with David Luiz and Gabriel Magalhaes in front of him. Kieran Tierney is our undisputed first-choice at left-back and the Scotsman will have to have a solid game.

Hector Bellerin was dropped to the bench against Burnley and Leicester, but he will likely return. Cedric Soares and even Calum Chambers have done well in that position, but the 25-year-old Spaniard’s experience in Europe might just get him the nod.

Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka will start again and the pair will need to be at their best. The Swiss international needs to get Saturday’s mistake out of his head and perform like he did in the few games prior to the one at Turf Moor.

Arteta revealed today that Emile Smith Rowe is close to a return which is a massive boost. If he is fully fit, he will likely start, but considering that it was a muscular problem, it wouldn’t be wise to rush him back.

Willian should keep his place if Smith Rowe isn’t ready. The Brazilian has three assists in his last three appearances, and if there ever is a time to give him a consistent run of games, it’s probably now.

Martin Odegaard starts again in attacking midfield and it’s time for the Norwegian to step up. He has been very good since he joined us, but he will be itching to get his first goal or assist in an Arsenal shirt.

Bukayo Saka starts again on the right and he, along with skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up top, will have to have a good game if we are to come out of The Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium tomorrow night with a positive result.

Here’s how we think Arsenal will lineup against Olympiacos