Wenger ready for Greek test

A December visit to Athens has become nearly an annual event on Arsenal‘s calendar but, in standing tonight on the precipice of unknown territory, the contrast with previous matches inside the atmospheric Karaiskakis Stadium could hardly be greater.

Arsene Wenger hopes his Arsenal side can capitalise on the “fear factor” against Olympiakos to make it through to the Champions League last 16.

After a poor qualification campaign, Arsenal trail second-place Olympiakos by three points and risk failing to reach the competition’s second stage for the first time in 16 seasons.

“We have to put every scenario in our head, it is important we focus on the performance”, he added. “We have to really give everything so that we can achieve this and get through to the next round”.

“But let’s not forget Olympiacos are qualified at the moment and can lose what they have”.

Fans believe the 23-year-old would be an excellent recruit that would bolster the squad immediately and present a fantastic prospect for the future, with Jorginho ticking all the boxes in their book.

Silva has also won widespread praise for the European performances.

Comparable experiences against AC Milan and Bayern Munich prompts the question of whether Arsenal can now break this cycle.

“We can learn from that”, he said. “We might need to be patient, as well as knowing we have to get both parts of our game right – attacking and defending”.

“I think they’ll be a real force – not just in the Premier League but the Champions League as well”. It is an argument that was predictably rejected last night by Wenger. However, for Arsenal the thought of Europa League football does not bear thinking about either.

“There is one positive thing for us – we know exactly what we have to do”.

“If you fall down, then you respond, but if you want to have a chance to get across and above, you have to focus”. “I always said he has something special on that front and he showed that again against Olympiakos”.

Olympiakos is cruising toward another domestic title, but its latest win rattled the Greek champion.

The atmosphere will also test Arsenal’s collective temperament.

And Arsenal fans won’t tolerate failure.

Arsenal, on the other hand, will be missing a long list of their top players, with injuries to Alexis Sánchez, Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Danny Welbeck, Tomas Rosicky, and David Ospina.

Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey, left, challenges for the ball with…

A one goal victory would be enough for the Gunners, but only if they score at least four times, which seems somewhat fanciful.

“Of course we believe”, Giroud said.