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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has told his players not to hide ahead of their Europa League first-leg clash at Olympiacos on Thursday night.
The Greek side are known for creating a ferociously hostile atmosphere and it’s a venue where Arsenal have succumbed to defeat in the past.
Arteta is expected to make a number of changes to his side that bulldozed Newcastle in the second-half on Sunday.
But the Spaniard expects to see a bold performance during a tie that will shape Arsenal’s season.
In response to whether his youngsters are up to the task, Arteta remained positive.
Arsenal are back in Europa League action
“It is part of the process,” the manager said. “You don’t know until you expose them. They can have the best intention but they need to go to a stadium like here and, when they make a mistake or a bad decision, have the courage to try again and play again.
“I want to see that in my players, whether they are 17 or 35. That’s what I expect from them. If they keep trying, they have my full support. If they hide after that, I don’t like it. But what I’ve seen up to now, every time they play on that field, they are responding really, really well.”
Mesut Ozil will play no part in Athens – the German has remained home ahead of the anticipated birth of his first child.
