The game is a completely dead rubber for Wenger’s men, as we have already secured top place in the group, but the Frenchman will be keen to avoid a damaging humiliation for his impressionable youngsters.
We have shown in the Carling Cup that we can compete with the very best at the Grove but it is away games that show up the inconsistencies of our young players. With Olympiacos highly motivated it will be interesting to see how the young players handle the intense atmosphere. Any kind of result would give them huge confidence and following our exit from the Carling Cup it is a good opportunity to give them more playing time. Although there have been angry demonstrations in Greece, which can only add to the notorious hostility in the stands, Wenger does not sound overly concerned:
"In England we are used to a hot atmosphere and the best way to make the atmosphere cold is to play good football.�
Standard Liege will be hoping that we do them a favour and play as effectively as Man Utd did last night with a weakened team. If we beat Olympiacos and Liege beat Alkmaar then the Belgians will qualify in second place. Any other combination of results will see the Greek team qualify and they will be confident of picking up the result they need against an Arsenal squad that includes ten teenagers.
Jack Wilshere missed the majority of the Carling Cup campaign and although he is in line to pick up some first team minutes tonight, Wenger has admitted that he is considering a possible loan move for Wilshere to give him experience. Reports suggest Wilshere will only consider a switch to another Premier League club and he will be keen to use this Champions League fixture to showcase his talents and secure the best possible loan move.