Olympia-Kos?

It’s nearly Matchday 2 in the Champions League and we welcome our perennial group buddies Olympiakos to the Emirates.

Last season’s games were dominated by Andre Santos no less, scoring the second goal in a 2-1 win in London, and being carried off with an ankle injury that laid him off for 3 months in the 3-1 win in Piraeus. That game will also be remembered for Fabianski picking up an injury and Vito Mannone’s “ninja air-kick”.

Our visitors have been busy over the summer, raiding Nice for midfielder Drissa Diakite on a free and also snapping up impressive Toulouse midfielder Paulo Machado for just under €3m. Goalkeeper Roy Carroll will be a familiar face but the Greeks have sold star players Kevin Mirallas to Everton and also former Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg, who has joined Segunda side Villarreal.

I’m told that Olympiakos will be without midfielder Lubomir Fjesa, striker Rafik Djebbour and both vice-captain Avraam Papadopolous and captain Vassilis Torosidis who are both defenders.

Arsenal will be without Abou Diaby who is expected to miss the next month with a hip problem and the main selection issue is whether Per Mertesacker is recalled.

Arsenal (Probable)

MannoneJenkinsonGibbsMertesackerVermaelen (c)ArtetaRamseyPodolskiCazorlaOxlade-ChamberlainGiroud