Arsenal must banish fear factor, says manager Arsene Wenger

ATHENS (AFP) - Arsene Wenger has told his Arsenal stars to banish the fear factor as the struggling Gunners try to secure a first place finish in their Champions League group.

Wenger's side travel to Olympiakos on Tuesday in desperate need of a morale-boosting victory after Saturday's 2-0 home defeat against Swansea left the north London club teetering on the brink of a full-blown crisis.

Arsenal, languishing in 10th place, have made their worst start to a Premier League season in Wenger's 16-year reign and the sense that their club is in decline has prompted a furious response from Gunners fans.

Some supporters staged a protest march before the Swansea match to underline their frustration at the Arsenal board's failure to back Wenger in the transfer market, while many more unleashed a torrent of abuse at the Frenchman and his players after the final whistle.