No rest for Mesut Ozil as Arsenal star calls for focus ahead of do-or-die Olympiacos clash

8 December 2015

Busy period: Wenger wants to hand Ozil a break - but can't afford to in Greece

Arsene Wenger wants to give in-form Mesut Ozil a breather - but cannot risk it for Arsenal’s do-or-die Champions League clash.

Gunners midfielder Ozil has been in sensational form but Wenger does not believe even he can play in all six of their games in the busy December fixture schedule.

They face Olympiacos tomorrow night then Aston Villa, Manchester City, Southampton and Bournemouth, having already began the month by beating Sunderland on Saturday.

It is a crunch month for Arsenal’s season and Wenger is acutely aware that he cannot afford any more injuries but it is also win or bust in Athens.

In pictures - Arsenal 3-1 Sunderland:

The Arsenal manager will go all-out attack against Olympiacos as they must beat the Greek side by two clear goals or on the head-to-head to qualify.

Wenger’s injury list means it will be an attacking line-up but the Frenchman will go for broke with Theo Walcott likely to be on the bench.

Almost there: Walcott is again set to start from the bench in Greece

Ozil said: “We have to be focused on the game, we have to give a really good performance.

"If we score an early goal, I’m confident that we can win this game and go through. I hope that I can help the team with a good performance on the night.

“We know that we have a lot of quality up front, but our goal is to go into half-time ahead and then we will know that everything is possible. We have to also be careful in defence that we don’t concede a goal.”

Focus: Ozil knows Arsenal can't afford to concede on Wednesday

Read more: Champions League permutations - What Arsenal must do

Arsenal forward Joel Campbell, who spent a season on loan at Olympiacos and helped beat Manchester United in the Champions League, added: “We already played against Olympiacos at Emirates Stadium. They are a great team, a great rival and especially because they play at home.

“In the Pireo (Karaiskakis Stadium) it is very difficult to get points but it is the last game of the group stage and we will give our best.

“It is the most important game of the season so far. It will be a cup final and we have to win to continue in the Champions League.”