Published: 26 November, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

GUNNERS’ goalie Petr Cech says that Arsenal have entered the knock-out stages of the Champions League “earlier than usual” as they prepare for a make-or-break game against Olympiacos. 

Arsene Wenger’s side beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. 

And with Bayern Munich thrashing Olympiacos 4-0, a win of 2-0 or better against the Greek champions next month will send Arsenal through to the knock-out phase. 

“It is now a grand finale for us in the last game, we are literally entering the play-offs already,” said Cech. “We are going into a play-off situation and we know what we need to get so, hopefully, we will be ready for that when the time comes. We can go into the Olympiacos match in confident mood because a few rounds ago we were almost out of the competition.

“Now, however, we have everything in our hands to progress. That is the situation, which is actually good for us.” 

Manager Wenger is also confident his Gunners can make the last 16 and shake off what has been a struggling group phase in the competition. 

“We had to come out of the game against Dinamo Zagreb with a chance and we have done that – now let’s make right what we hadn’t got right until now by winning in Greece,” he said.

“We now have a chance – how big a chance I don’t know, but I believe we can do it.”