Arsenal need to beat Olympiacos by at least two goals, or win and score at least three on Wednesday night to advance from the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. However, Arsène Wenger already has one eye on the knockout stages of the competition, and believes that the Gunners could be a dangerous foe for anyone they would draw in the Round of 16.
Speaking at his pre-match news conference, Wenger noted that the adversity the team have come through to get this far would serve them well in the later rounds of the competition.
We can be dangerous if we go through because we come from far. Overall if you look at the numbers since the start of the Champions League group stage, we have played with 10 men in Zagreb, we scored an own goal at home to Olympiacos, every single game we were a bit unlucky but if we get through we will be dangerous that is for sure.
Assuming that the Gunners get through to the knockout rounds, although it’s no sure bet given their recent performances against Olympiacos in Piraeus, much of their fate will be down to the luck of the draw, and the team would prefer not to draw one of the European favourites.
At the moment we have two or three super-favourites [for the competition] and whoever gets through will have to chase them.
As long as you don’t win the competition – at any stage to go out is bad. That is basically it. On the other hand, we have gone 15 times out of the group consecutively so you could say that is a good habit.
Wenger and his squad have their chance to make the knockout stage for the 16th consecutive season when they take on Olympiacos in Piraeus Wednesday night at 19:45 BST. The draw for the round of 16 will take place on Monday, 14th December.
