Arsenal vs. Olympiacos lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest as Odegaard, Saliba eye recalls

Feargal Brennan

Arsenal vs. Olympiacos lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest as Odegaard, Saliba eye recalls image

Arsenal resume their UEFA Champions League campaign with a matchweek two clash against Olympiacos on October 1.

Mikel Arteta's side welcome the defending Greek champions to Emirates Stadium on the back of a superb 2-1 win on the road at Newcastle United.

Late goals from Mikel Merino and Gabriel closed the Premier League title gap behind Liverpool to two points as focus now switches to Europe.

The Gunners opened their UCL challenge with a 2-0 win on the road at Athletic Club, and they will be full of confidence after victory on Tyneside.

Olympiacos drew 0-0 at home to Pafos in their opener and Jose Luis Mendlibar's team are unbeaten in their opening five games of the new domestic season.

MORE: Bukayo Saka hails Arsenal's big statement in Newcastle comeback

Arsenal vs. Olympiacos lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest

Arteta confirmed no fresh injury worries following the win at Newcastle, but due to the small gap between games, he will rotate.

William Saliba was not risked from the start at the weekend — he replaced Cristhian Mosquera at halftime — and the France international should start in defence alongside match-winner Gabriel.

Captain Martin Odegaard is building back to full fitness and could come back in here, with Arteta open  to playing a more attacking midfield.

Eberechi Eze's form should keep him in the team, albeit with a positional tweak to accommodate Odegaard.

Arsenal predicted starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) — Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori — Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice — Saka, Gyokeres, Eze

Injured: Jesus (ACL), Havertz (knee), Madueke (knee), Hincape (groin)
Suspended: None


Mendilibar has a squad packed with European experience including some memorable veteran names set to start at the Emirates.

Former Wolves winger Daniel Podence is back for his third spell at the club and ex-Porto striker Mehdi Taremi could lead the attack.

Brazilian full-back Rodinei was left out of the travelling squad with an unspecified issue. Experienced Ukraine striker Roman Yaremchuk has a calf injury.

Olympiakos predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Paschalakis (GK) — Costinha, Retsos, Pirola, Ortega — Hezze, Garcia — Strefezza, Chiquinho, Podence — Taremi

Injured: Yaremchuk (calf), Rodinei (undisc.), Scipioni (ankle, doubt)
Suspended: None

Arsenal vs. Olympiakos match details

  • Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025 
  • Kickoff time: 8 p.m. BST
  • Location: Emirates Stadium, London (UK)
  • Competition: UEFA Champions League league phase matchday two
  • Referee: Francois Letexier  (FRA)
  • VAR: Soren Storks (FRA)

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Feargal Brennan

Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta's 'Reds' and Kenny's Ireland 'Greens' and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.