Arsenal will look to build on their encouraging start to the Champions League campaign when they welcome familiar foes Olympiacos to the Emirates Stadium on October 1.
Under the Emirates floodlights, the early weeks of the Champions League group stage can sometimes feel like a formality. Yet for Mikel Arteta’s side, there is plenty of work to do between now and next May if they want to be the team to lift the trophy in Budapest’s Puskás Aréna.
Each season, this group of players looks to have gained experience from each setback. Having reached the semi-finals of last year’s competition, defeated by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain, the goal is to go one better, and that journey continues against Olympiacos.
The Greek side travel to north London unbeaten domestically, but know they will have to be at their best if they are to overcome the odds from the UK’s best betting sites and produce an upset on matchday two.
A Bright Start For The Gunners
Arsenal opened their campaign with a hard-fought win against Athletic Club, a match that highlighted both their depth and resilience. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard came off the bench to score, overturning a challenging first half in which Athletic’s fast start and vocal home support pinned the Gunners back.
Martinelli netted just 36 seconds after coming on, before Trossard capitalised on the Brazilian winger’s clever assist to seal a second-half advantage. It was not a flawless display, but Arsenal secured three points and a clean sheet, giving them a platform to build on.
With £250 million invested in the squad this summer, Arteta now has quality options off the bench capable of influencing games, a significant upgrade from previous seasons.
Getting Over the Line
The revamped Champions League format could be just what Arsenal need to make a serious push in Europe. Instead of being thrown straight into high-pressure knockout ties, the expanded group stage gives them space to find their rhythm, build momentum, and ease into the competition.
After finishing second in the Premier League for three seasons in a row, the hunger for tangible silverware is clear. With 7/1 odds putting them among England’s most credible contenders for European glory, Arteta’s challenge is simple: turn consistent domestic consistency into a trophy that has so far eluded them.
Facing Olympiacos in early October offers the perfect chance to do just that. As clear favourites against a familiar opponent, Arsenal can play with confidence and control without the pressure cooker of a knockout tie. Picking up points now could create breathing room later in the season, giving Arteta the freedom to rotate the squad when it really matters.
A strong start also offers a buffer that was missing during last season’s semi-final heartbreak against Paris Saint-Germain. The new format rewards consistency over sudden-death drama, and that measured, methodical approach plays right into Arsenal’s hands.
A Familiar Foe
Arsenal and Olympiacos are no strangers in European competition. The Greek side did win 1-0 at the Emirates in the 2021 Europa League, although Arsenal had already established a 3-1 aggregate lead from Athens.
Despite occasional scares, the Gunners have historically held the upper hand, particularly in high-stakes ties.
This familiarity works in Arsenal’s favour, but Olympiacos’ fans know what to expect on big European nights. They will be eager to recreate the atmosphere and intensity that brought their 2024 Conference League triumph to life. The Emirates will demand focus and composure from Arsenal from the first whistle.
The Verdict – Squad Depth as a Weapon
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of Arsenal’s early European showing is the strength of their squad depth. New signings like Viktor Gyökeres and Eberechi Eze, alongside established options such as Martinelli and Trossard, give Arteta genuine game-changing alternatives.
Unlike previous seasons, Arsenal no longer need to rely on academy graduates or fringe players. These substitutes can score, unlock defences, and shift momentum when games hang in the balance.
The win against Athletic Club demonstrated this perfectly, with bench players providing decisive moments. Against Olympiacos, this depth could prove the difference between control and struggle.
Arsenal approach this fixture as clear favourites, and rightly so. Their squad is stronger than in previous European campaigns, their tactical approach more refined, and the new Champions League format better suited to their methodical style of play. The combination of home advantage, historical superiority over the visitors, and genuine squad depth suggests this should be a comfortable evening for the Gunners.
Yet European football rarely unfolds exactly as expected, and Olympiacos’ track record of springing surprises in Europe means nothing is guaranteed.
That said, the pieces appear aligned for a statement performance that could set the tone for what many believe could be Arsenal’s year. In a competition where confidence and momentum are everything, Tuesday evening represents the perfect opportunity to take another crucial step forward.