SOKRATIS LOOKING TO AVENGE UEL DEFEAT

Olympiacoscentre back SokratisPapasthathopoulos would have revenge on his mind when his team take on former club Arsenal at the round of 16 stage of the UEFA Europa League (UEL). Greece international defender Sokratis and his Olympiacosside were on the receiving end of a 3-1 loss to Arsenal when they played hosts to the Premier League club in the first leg and they have it all to do in the second leg at the Emirates Stadium. Greece player Sokratis was an Arsenal player until he left the club by mutual consent at the start of this year.He had six months to go on his then Arsenal contract before the Greece defender reached an agreement with the club to have his contract terminated. Sokratis signed for Greece top flight champions Olympiacos on a free transfer shortly after leaving the Gunners.

Sokratis was at the heart of the defence when Greece champions Olympiacos conceded three goals against Arsenal at home last week. Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard is on a six-month loan at Arsenal from the Spanish club until the end of the season and he was responsible for the opening goal of the game in the first half. Odegaard scored his first goal for the Gunners since signing on loan from Real Madrid in January. His goal was cancelled out by the strike from Youssef El-Arabiin the first one-third of the second half. The Moroccan striker capitalised on the mistake from Arsenal substitute Dani Ceballos to level matters for the hosts. Arsenal went on to score two goals more courtesy the header from Brazilian defender Gabriel and substitute Mohamed ElNeny to take a 3-1 result back to London for the second leg. To this effect, Greece champions Olympiacos will have to score three goals without reply to secure a quarterfinal spot in the UEL at the expense of the Gunners.