The stage is set at the iconic Emirates Stadium in London as Arsenal prepare to host Greek giants Olympiacos in a highly anticipated UEFA Champions League encounter on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 19:00 UTC. This fixture, steeped in European history between the two clubs, promises a fascinating battle of tactical wits and individual brilliance. With both sides eager to assert their dominance in the competition’s early stages, what narratives will unfold, and which team will seize the crucial points?
Arsenal, enjoying a resurgent period under Mikel Arteta, come into this match with high expectations, buoyed by recent impressive domestic and European performances. Olympiacos, always a formidable opponent with a knack for causing upsets, will look to leverage their European experience and surprise the Gunners on their home turf. The stakes are clear: Arsenal will aim for a comfortable victory to build momentum in the Champions League group stage, while Olympiacos will be desperate to upset the odds and secure a vital away result.
Head-to-Head
The history between Arsenal and Olympiacos is surprisingly evenly balanced, making this fixture all the more intriguing. Across 12 previous meetings in both the Champions League and Europa League, the head-to-head record stands perfectly split, with each club claiming six victories and no draws.
- Total matches played: 12
- Arsenal wins: 6
- Olympiacos wins: 6
- Draws: 0
- Goals scored: Arsenal 19, Olympiacos 15
Recent encounters have been particularly dramatic. The last five meetings have seen Arsenal win three and Olympiacos win two:
- 18 March 2021: Arsenal 0-1 Olympiacos (Europa League)
- 11 March 2021: Olympiacos 1-3 Arsenal (Europa League)
- 27 February 2020: Arsenal 1-2 Olympiacos (Europa League)
- 20 February 2020: Olympiacos 0-1 Arsenal (Europa League)
- 09 December 2015: Olympiacos 0-3 Arsenal (Champions League)
A notable outcome includes Olympiacos’s surprising triumph at the Emirates Stadium in March 2020, which saw them knock Arsenal out of the Europa League on away goals after a dramatic extra-time goal from Youssef El-Arabi. Arsenal exacted their revenge the following year, securing a 3-2 aggregate victory in the Europa League Round of 16.
Current Form & Team News
Arsenal
The Gunners arrive in formidable form, having reignited their Premier League title aspirations with a memorable 2-1 comeback victory away against Newcastle United just days ago. Their Champions League campaign also began strongly with a mature 2-0 away win over Athletic Club. In their last five competitive matches, Arsenal boast an impressive W-W-D-W-W record, indicating strong consistency across competitions.
Mikel Arteta’s squad depth allows for rotation without significantly compromising quality. Key players in top form include Viktor Gyökeres, who has netted 3 goals, with Mikel Merino, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Zubimendi, and Jurrien Timber each contributing 2 goals. Martin Ødegaard and Leandro Trossard lead the assist charts with 3 each, while goalkeeper David Raya has maintained 4 clean sheets recently. There are no significant new injury or suspension concerns reported, allowing Arteta a full complement of options.
Olympiacos
Olympiacos enter this clash on the back of a morale-boosting 3-2 home win against Levadiakos in the Greek Super League, a match where they displayed their fighting spirit. Their Champions League journey, however, began with a goalless draw at home against debutants Pafos FC, a result that might have left them slightly disappointed. Their recent form across five matches shows a strong W-W-D-D-W run in their domestic league and European fixture.
Under the guidance of Europa League-winning coach José Luis Mendilibar, Olympiacos have shown resilience. Leading their attacking charge is Ayoub El Kaabi with 6 goals, supported by Chiquinho (4 goals) and Panagiotis Retsos (2 goals). Gelson Martins has been their primary assist provider with 3 assists in recent games. While they lead the Greek Super League through six games, their challenge against an evolving Arsenal side is significant.
Tactical Preview
Arsenal are expected to deploy their customary 4-3-3 formation, focusing on fluid attacking movements, high pressing, and control of possession, which has been a hallmark of their play, averaging 56% possession. The midfield battle will be crucial, with Arsenal likely looking to dominate through the likes of Ødegaard and Merino, dictating the tempo and supplying their dynamic forwards such as Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Viktor Gyökeres. Their defensive solidity, evidenced by David Raya’s clean sheets and only 0.8 goals conceded per match on average, will be tested.
Olympiacos, under Mendilibar, will likely counter with a 4-2-3-1 setup, aiming for defensive organization and quick transitions. Their attacking threats will come from players like El Kaabi and Chiquinho, who can exploit any defensive lapses. While Olympiacos remarkably have a good historical record at the Emirates, having won on each of their last three visits, their recent away form in the Champions League is a concern, having lost their last 10 away games in the group stage, conceding at least two goals in each defeat. The match will be played in typical mild autumn London weather, with pitch conditions at Emirates Stadium expected to be pristine, posing no adverse effects on player performance.
