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Gibbs: Arsenal need to keep right balance in Greece

Mathieu Flamini celebrates scoring Arsenal's second goal against Spurs in their midweek Capital One Cup fixture
Mathieu Flamini celebrates scoring Arsenal's second goal against Spurs in their midweek Capital One Cup fixture Mathieu Flamini celebrates scoring Arsenal's second goal against Spurs in their midweek Capital One Cup fixture

DEFENDER Kieran Gibbs believes Arsenal must continue to play with freedom as they aim to get their European campaign back on track against Olympiacos.

The Gunners slumped to a 2-1 defeat in the opening Group F tie away at Dinamo Zagreb, where striker Olivier Giroud was sent off in the first half.

Arsenal have the chance to redeem themselves against a side they know well, having faced the Greeks in the group stages in three of the past six campaigns.

Gibbs feels Arsene Wenger's squad must continue to utilise the creativity of players such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain if they are to maintain progress.

"We want to just keep the right balance. You've got players like Alex who you know can change a game," the full-back said.

"You have to encourage him to express himself, to do whatever he can, whatever he feels is right to do, as long as the players aren't doing the opposite to him. It is always encouraged."

Oxlade-Chamberlain has already produced some energetic displays this season, notably in the midweek Capital One Cup win at Tottenham.

Gibbs hopes the 22-year-old can go on to enjoy a stand-out campaign.

"Alex is in the best shape he has ever been in physically and the more minutes he gets the more dangerous he is going to be. That's what I feel he needs at the moment, more game time," said Gibbs.

"The situations he's getting into on the pitch will come more naturally to him and his goalscoring is going to be a bit like Aaron's. At first it was difficult for Aaron (Ramsey) to find the net but then all of a sudden it just clicks and I don't think he's going to stop scoring."

Arsenal are unbeaten in eight home games against Olympiacos, winning six and drawing two.

Marco Silva's men started their group campaign with a 3-0 home defeat by Bayern Munich.

Gunners boss Wenger remains confident of progress to the knockout stages, but accepts form at the Emirates Stadium is key.

"Mathematically we can qualify without any problem if we can produce our performances that we want at home," he said.

Arsenal travel to Leicester for today's Premier League match at 3pm. The teams will line out as selected:

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Huth, Morgan, Schlupp, Mahrez, Kante, Drinkwater, Albrighton, Okazaki, Vardy. Subs: King, Simpson, Kramaric, Ulloa, Schwarzer, Inler, Dodoo. 

Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Flamini, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Sanchez, Walcott. Subs: Debuchy, Gibbs, Arteta, Giroud, Ospina, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chambers. 

Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)