The departures of star midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri destabilised an already fragile squad to such an extent the Gunners briefly languished just one place above the Premier League relegation zone after their worst start for 58 years...
Wenger has been forced to swat away increasingly pointed questions about his future, while the club’s chief executive Ivan Gazidis felt obliged to issue a vote of confidence in the French coach after a 4-3 defeat at Blackburn.In the circumstances, Saturday’s 3-0 win over Bolton was a much-needed morale boost, but the critics, both in the Emirates stands and the media, will be back in force if Arsenal slip up at home to Olympiakos.
The Gunners kicked off their Group F campaign with a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund and victory over the Greeks is essential to avoid falling behind in the race to reach the second round.
Wenger can take confidence from the Robin van Persie-inspired win over Bolton and his side’s formidable home record in Europe’s elite club competition.
Even eventual winners Barcelona lost at the Emirates last season, beaten 2-1 in the first leg of the last 16, and Wenger knows his team’s comfort level at home will be key to qualification.
“In the Champions League, you need 11 points to qualify from the group stage, that means you have to take nine at home and two or three away,” he said.
“We got an interesting point in Dortmund and we know after if we do well at home, then we will qualify.”
While Wenger will rightly regard his side as favourites against Olympiakos, he must have been cursing his luck on Monday when it was confirmed England midfielder Jack Wilshere will be sidelined for up five months following surgery to cure a stress fracture to his right ankle.
Wilshere has been sidelined since suffering the injury in a pre-season friendly against the New York Red Bulls and his absence robs Wenger of his most creative midfielder.
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