EUROPA LEAGUE IS NOW A ‘PRIORITY’

ARSENAL found themselves paired with familiar foes when they came out of a European draw alongside Olympiakos for the fifth time in 10 years. Those previous meetings have all been in the Champions League, where the Greek side were again involved this season before finishing third in the group that contained Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham. Points have always been shared in those group stage encounters – with both sides winning four times, three times at home and

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once away. The first match is in Greece at the Karaiskaki Stadium, where Olivier Giroud (right) scored a hat-trick on the club’s last visit in December 2015, with the

Emirates hosting the Round of 32 return a week later on

February

27.

Only two players, Hector Bellerin and Mesut Ozil, survive at the club from the 11 who started for Arsenal that night.

The current mood is very different than it was in those Champions League days, of course, and the response of Arsenal was generally downbeat.

Club secretary David Miles said the last-32 tie was a top

v v v v v v v v v v v THE TIES WILL BE PLAYED ON FEB 20 AND 27

priority for the managerless London club.

Miles said: “We have played Olympiakos quite a few times. “We have good friendships. They are one of the best teams in Greece. We know they are strong. We take no one for granted and will do our homework.

“This could be a route into the Champions League for next year, so I think this will be a priority.”

The Gunners turned in another disappointing display in their 3-0 home Premier League defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, but Olympiakos coach Pedro Martins will pay little attention to his opponents’ domestic troubles.

“It’s a big challenge for us to play against Arsenal, last year’s UEFA Europa League finalists,” Martins told UEFA’S official website.

“They may not have started well in the Premier League this season, but they have great players, are dangerous and deserve our respect.”