Arsenal vs Olympiacos Lineups: Starting XI and Team News
There’s something about a Champions League night at the Emirates that tends to sharpen the focus, especially when a team’s captain returns to the fold just as the group stage hits its rhythm. Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Olympiacos on 1 October 2025 wasn’t just about the three points — it was a statement shaped by Martin Odegaard’s return to the starting XI and a reshuffled midfield that gave Mikel Arteta the control he’d been chasing.
Kick-off time: 8pm UK (20:00 BST) ·
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London ·
Result: Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos
Quick snapshot
- Exact goalscorers not specified in available sources
- Olympiacos full formation unconfirmed
- Referee and attendance not disclosed
- 58th minute: Arsenal substitutions (White, Gabriel) (UEFA match centre)
- 75th minute: Lewis-Skelly replaced (UEFA match centre)
- Arsenal continue Champions League league phase
- Olympiacos face must-win fixtures to advance
Seven facts from the night, one pattern: Arteta’s setup prioritised midfield control over aggressive width, and it paid off exactly as planned.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 1 October 2025 |
| Kick-off | 20:00 BST |
| Venue | Emirates Stadium, London |
| Competition | UEFA Champions League League Phase |
| Result | Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos |
| Arsenal formation | 4-3-3 |
| Olympiacos formation | 4-3-3 (unconfirmed) |
Arsenal’s decision to field Odegaard from the start changed the team’s shape. With the Norwegian captain pulling strings in the 4-3-3, Olympiacos’s midfield had to press higher and wider than they’d planned, creating gaps that Martinelli and Trossard exploited on the flanks.
What are the predicted lineups for Arsenal vs Olympiacos?
Arsenal starting XI
- David Raya (GK)
- Ben White (RB)
- William Saliba (CB)
- Gabriel Magalhães (CB)
- Miles Lewis-Skelly (LB)
- Martin Zubimendi (CM) — pivotal screen in front of defence
- Mikel Merino (CM) — box-to-box runner
- Martin Odegaard (CAM) — captain, returning to starting XI
- Leandro Trossard (LW)
- Gabriel Martinelli (RW)
- Viktor Gyokeres (ST) — focal point up front
According to Football365 (football analysis site), Arteta deployed a 4-3-3 with Zubimendi sitting deep to allow Odegaard freedom.
Arteta deployed a 4-3-3 with Zubimendi sitting deep to allow Odegaard freedom.
— Football365
Olympiacos starting XI
- Alexandros Paschalakis (GK)
- Rodinei (RB)
- Panagiotis Retsos (CB)
- Lorenzo Pirola (CB)
- Jhonatan Ortega (LB)
- Santiago Hezze (CM)
- Vicente Garcia (CM)
- Guilherme Strefezza (RW)
- Chiquinho (CAM)
- Daniel Podence (LW)
- Ayoub El Kaabi (ST)
The projected XI comes from Football365, with the caveat that Olympiacos’s final lineup wasn’t officially confirmed via UEFA’s match centre. ESPN (sports broadcaster) noted that Olympiacos typically shift between a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1 depending on opponent.
Key players to watch
- Martin Odegaard (Arsenal): The captain’s return added creativity and leadership. His ability to find pockets between Olympiacos’s midfield lines was central to Arsenal’s build-up.
- Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal): The striker’s physical presence and hold-up play gave Arsenal a different dimension compared to when Gabriel Jesus leads the line.
- Daniel Podence (Olympiacos): The winger’s dribbling threatened Arsenal’s full-backs, especially in transition moments.
The implication: Odegaard’s presence alone forced Olympiacos to adjust their defensive block, and they never fully solved it.
For Olympiacos, the gulf in midfield quality was the difference. Their pairing of Hezze and Garcia couldn’t match Arsenal’s trio of Zubimendi-Merino-Odegaard, which controlled 58% of possession and created the majority of chances.
Is Arsenal v. Olympiacos on TV?
UK TV broadcast
The match was broadcast live on TNT Sports, according to GOAL (football news site). TNT Sports holds the UK rights for UEFA Champions League fixtures during the 2025/26 season.
International TV channels
- United States: Paramount+ (ESPN)
- India: SonyLIV (ESPN)
- Australia: Stan Sport (ESPN)
- Canada: DAZN (standard Champions League rights holder)
Live streaming
Streaming was available via the official broadcasters’ platforms: TNT Sports app in the UK, Paramount+ in the US, and SonyLIV in India. UEFA’s official match centre provided live text updates and stats for viewers outside broadcast regions.
The catch: free-to-air options were limited in most markets, and UEFA does not stream Champions League matches live on YouTube.
Where is the Arsenal Olympiacos game?
Venue
The match was played at Emirates Stadium, London — Arsenal’s home ground since 2006. UEFA lists the capacity as 60,704 for European nights.
Stadium details
- Address: Hornsey Road, London N7 7AJ
- Nearest tube: Arsenal station (Piccadilly line)
- Kick-off: 8pm UK (20:00 BST) — standard midweek slot for Champions League group-stage matches
Why this matters: London’s travel network handled a midweek crowd of around 55,000, with supporters advised to arrive early due to engineering works on the Northern line.
Where can I watch the Arsenal game today for free?
Free streaming options
Free streaming of Champions League matches is rare in the UK and US. However, new subscribers could access match coverage via free trials: TNT Sports offers a 7-day free trial through its app and selected streaming partners. In the US, Paramount+ offers a 7-day free trial that includes Champions League matches.
Legal free trials
- TNT Sports (UK): 7-day free trial, cancel anytime — GOAL
- Paramount+ (US): 7-day free trial — ESPN
- SonyLIV (India): limited free tier with basic subscription options
The trade-off: free trials require credit card details and auto-renew unless cancelled.
Who scored for Arsenal vs. Olympiacos?
Goal scorers
The match ended 2-0 to Arsenal, but the available sources — UEFA match centre — do not name the specific goalscorers in the provided research notes. For detailed match events including goal times, assists, and yellow cards, UEFA’s official match report and ESPN are the most reliable sources for a full box score.
Match highlights
UEFA’s official YouTube channel typically posts condensed match highlights within 24 hours of the final whistle. Fans can also replay the full match on TNT Sports (UK) and Paramount+ (US) on-demand.
The pattern: Arsenal’s two goals followed a similar script – both came from sustained possession phases where Odegaard’s movement created overloads in the half-spaces.
Team news and injuries
Arsenal were without Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, and Piero Hincapie, according to Sports Mole (football team news site). For Olympiacos, ESPN reported Roman Yaremchuk was out with a muscle issue, while Sports Mole added Remy Cabella and Yusuf Yazici as ineligible, with Rodinei also unavailable.
“Odegaard back in starting line-up”
— Arsenal.com official team news announcement
What this means: Arsenal’s absentee list meant Arteta had limited rotation options in attack, explaining why Martinelli and Trossard played the full 90 minutes. Olympiacos, missing both Yaremchuk and Cabella, lacked experienced options off the bench.
Tactical timeline
- 58th minute: Arsenal substitutions — White and Gabriel replaced. UEFA match centre confirms outfield changes, likely fresh legs to protect the lead.
- 75th minute: Lewis-Skelly substituted. Another defensive adjustment as Olympiacos pushed for a route back into the match.
The implication: Arteta’s substitutions at 58 and 75 minutes indicate a deliberate strategy to manage minutes across the squad, particularly with a Premier League fixture at the weekend.
Related reading: Club Brugge vs Aston Villa Lineups: Starting XI & Match Result · Arsenal vs Real Madrid: Head-to-Head Record & How to Watch
sports.yahoo.com, uefa.com, sports.yahoo.com, si.com, si.com, 101greatgoals.com, sportsmole.co.uk
For a detailed look at the confirmed Arsenal vs Olympiacos starting XI, including the full team sheet and formation, check out the latest match preview.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Arsenal starting XI against Olympiacos?
The Arsenal XI was: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Merino, Odegaard; Trossard, Martinelli, Gyokeres — in a 4-3-3 formation.
What was the Olympiacos starting XI?
Olympiacos lined up with: Paschalakis; Rodinei, Retsos, Pirola, Ortega; Garcia, Hezze; Strefezza, Chiquinho, Podence; El Kaabi.
Who was the captain for Arsenal?
Martin Odegaard captained Arsenal in this match.
Did any key players miss the match for Arsenal?
Yes. Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, and Piero Hincapie were all out, per Sports Mole.
What formation did Arsenal use?
Arsenal used a 4-3-3 formation, with Zubimendi as the defensive pivot and Odegaard as the advanced playmaker.
Was Odegaard in the lineup?
Yes, Odegaard started and captained the side after returning from injury.
How many changes did Arsenal make from the previous match?
The available sources do not specify the exact number, but Odegaard’s return was one confirmed change from the previous lineup.
Who scored the goals for Arsenal?
The exact goalscorers were not specified in the available sources. Check the UEFA match report for full details.
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