Mesut Ozil is optimistic about Arsenal’s impending match in the Champions League against Olympiacos and has revealed that he even believes we have the potential to win the whole competition.

Speaking ahead of the match on Tuesday, the German said that despite the quality of the other teams in the tournament, Arsenal have developed since we were knocked out in the final 16 against Monaco last season and that this year we could really challenge.

“We’re developing ourselves further as a team,” the playermaker said. “Defeats always rouse the team more and our aim this season is to go as far as possible, and if possible to win it, because we have the potential.

“But we are aware that there are a lot of teams in the tournament who are among the favourites and have a very good squad.

“In the Champions League, as in football, anything is possible and that’s what we want to show this year. With a bit of luck, we can reach our target and that’s what we want to do.

“We want to develop ourselves further. We have a very good team with lots of quality.

“Of course the first game didn’t go well for us but we have a lot of matches in front of us that we want to do well.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (L) talks with German midfielder Mesut Ozil during a training session at London Colney
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (L) talks with German midfielder Mesut Ozil during a training session at London Colney in St Albans, north London on 28 September, 2015 before a Group F Champions League football match against Olympiakos. AFP PHOTO/Olly Greenwood (Photo credit should read OLLY GREENWOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

Ozil seems more optimistic about our ability to go far in this competition than most fans, but it’s nice to see his belief in the team.

“I think there was a lot of misfortune last year,” he said. “When you look at the English teams, you see that they are strong because they have a lot of players in their ranks who have a lot of quality.

“In the Champions League, especially in the knockout rounds, sometimes one goal or the away goals ruling can decide ties, like with us against Monaco, where that was the case.

“We had some bad luck and as a team you need more fortune. I think it will be different this year – the English sides are well equipped and will go far.”

Arsenal lost against Dinamo Zagreb in our first European match and everyone will be hoping this was just a blip. If we can get a comprehensive win against the Greek team on Tuesday night, this should kick-start our campaign. Against Leicester we showed signed of being back to our best, let’s hope this continues.