3rd Oct 2012 | Football
Arsenal v Olympiakos Tips: Kostas Manolas
Good in the air, this talented defender could exploit Arsenal’s vulnerability from set pieces.
After starting the season with three clean sheets, Steve Bould was heralded as the cure to Arsenal’s defensive ills. Unfortunately, the impact seems to have been temporary, as the Gunners still look vulnerable from set pieces.
Joleon Lescott exploited Arsenal’s zonal-marking system to score from a corner and on Saturday Fernando Torres scored an equally soft goal from a free-kick. With Abou Diaby injured and Per Mertesacker benched, Arsenal lack height as well as defensive leadership.
It is a weakness that won’t have gone unnoticed by Leonardo Jardim, manager of Arsenal’s opponents Olympiakos. After losing their opening Champions League fixture, the Greek champions will be desperate to get something out of tonight’s game, so expect plenty of men in the box at every opportunity.
If Olympiakos are to score, it is likely to come from a set-piece, which brings central defender Kostas Manolas into play. The 21-year-old is one of Greece’s most promising defenders. He only moved to Olympiakos this summer but during his time with AEK he scored six goals in 93 appearances, the majority from set-pieces.
An excellent header of the ball, he looks a big price at 22/1 (Stan James) to score anytime, especially if Arsenal’s vulnerability in the air persists.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 13:58 3rd Oct, 2012 but subject to change
