Source: Team_Talk
Gunners gamble with youth in Athens
With safe passage into the Champions League knockout stages already secure as Group H winners, Wenger will not risk the fitness of any more first-team regulars ahead of Sunday's crucial Premier League encounter at Liverpool.[LNB]Captain Cesc Fabregas, defenders William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen and Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin all remained in London, while Czech Republic winger Tomas Rosicky is set for around a month out with a groin problem.[LNB]As a result, the Arsenal squad which left Luton Airport on Tuesday afternoon contained 10 teenagers and had an average age of 20.[LNB]England forward Theo Walcott was a familiar face on the plane after recovering from a hamstring problem, while Alex Song also made the trip after missing Saturday's Premier League win over Stoke through suspension.[LNB]Veteran Mikael Silvestre - a Champions League winner with Manchester United - will add an experienced head, while goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, Wales international Aaron Ramsey, England Under-21 midfielder Jack Wilshere and Mexico striker Carlos Vela have all played in Europe's elite competition before.[LNB]Reserve-team captain Kyle Bartley, as well as 18-year-olds Craig Eastmond, Luke Ayling and Thomas Cruise - the left-back who has yet to make a first-team appearance of any form, even in the Carling Cup - have also been included in the squad.[LNB]With the Liverpool showdown approaching, Wenger insists his first-choice stars need to recover.[LNB]"I am happy that we absolutely do not have to win this game," he said.[LNB]"All of the players that I have left have little knocks and need a rest, so I travel with a very young team.[LNB]"However, we have Walcott who is coming back from injury, and Song who was suspended against Stoke, so we should have a good mixture between young and experienced players."[LNB]Wenger, however, accepts there will be debate over the inclusion of his youngsters.[LNB]"It is a risk, because you know that if you do not win the game, you will be criticised," he added.[LNB]"But I trust these players to do well.[LNB]"They are young, but have a lot of experience already of big games and it will be another chance for them to show how good they are.[LNB]"It will give them confidence and belief, because you will see some players tomorrow night that you have never seen at that level for Arsenal.[LNB]"It will also be a good opportunity for me to judge how good these players are,"[LNB]Olympiacos, who are coached by Brazil legend Zico, are unbeaten at the top of the Greek Super League.[LNB]A draw would be enough to see the Greeks - who lost 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium in September - also safely through to the last 16 ahead of Standard Liege.[LNB]As such, the Belgians are sure to have more than an interested eye on Wenger's team selection.[LNB]Wenger added: "Whether we respect the competition or not will be decided by the quality of our game.[LNB]"That is a gamble I take because I believe these players will do well."[LNB]Arsenal returned to winning ways at the weekend after successive domestic defeats.[LNB]Much had been made of the manner of the 3-0 home reverse to leaders Chelsea late last month, with Fabregas saying the Gunners lacked penetration in attack, a role which Didier Drogba fills so well for the Blues.[LNB]Wenger accepts with so many players sidelined his team appeared somewhat "lightweight" in the Chelsea clash - but denied that was the main reason for the disappointing performance.[LNB]"We had so many players with a physical presence out against Chelsea - like (Nicklas) Bendtner, (Abou) Diaby, Song - that of course we were a little bit lightweight," said Wenger.[LNB]"However, we showed against Stoke, a very physical team, that if you play football well, you can still win.[LNB]"People have jumped to this conclusion because we lost against Chelsea, they linked that with physical presence.[LNB]"However, I personally was not convinced with that."[LNB]Olympiacos, who are coached by Brazil legend Zico, are unbeaten at the top of the Greek Super League.[LNB]A draw would be enough to see the Greeks - who lost 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium in September and drew 0-0 with AZ Alkmaar last time out - also safely through to the last 16 ahead of Standard Liege.[LNB]Former Blackburn forward Matt Derbyshire is returning to fitness but will not be ready to feature for Olympiacos on Wednesday, while Andreas Vasilogiannis is sidelined after knee surgery.[LNB]Zico has a number of other doubts, including Brazilian striker Diogo.[LNB]The Greek champions beat Skoda Xanthi 1-0 on Saturday and are top of the domestic league, in which they are unbeaten.[LNB][LNB]
