Players consider the Champions League to be the pinnacle of their profession; the chance the test themselves against the elite and prove their worth on a global stage.

It is no different for the man in the middle.

Officiating is often a thankless task but Dutch referee Bas Nijhuis was delighted when he discovered that he will take charge of Arsenal's Champions League group game against Olympiakos.

"When I made it I just jumped for joy," he told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. "Referees are also athletes who want to reach the top."

Arsene Wenger's side host the Greek outfit at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening and Nijhuis is delighted that his hard work has finally been recognised.

"I train for hours in the week and if I can work on a higher stage, it gives satisfaction. I do realise that there is no time to enjoy it, because each game requires optimum sharpness."

Nijhuis used to ply his trade as a butcher before he became a professional referee and currently owns a bakery in Haaksbergen.

The official is relatively inexperienced in Europe's primary cup competition but has recently been promoted to the Elite Group of referees that oversee the competition's most important games.

Nijhuis originally hit the headlines in 2011 after he dismissed AZ Alkmaar's Esteban Alvarado for kicking a pitch invader.

The goalkeeper lashed out at a fan after being struck himself but was given his marching orders for misconduct.

The red card was eventually overturned by the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) but Nijhuis defended his decision in the wake of the incident.

"I understand that Esteban was defending himself, but he walked to him (the supporter) and kicked him multiple times. He could also have walked away."

Nijhuis was also suspended by the Dutch Football Association for his role in a training camp prank in Turkey last year after displaying 'school trip behaviour'.

Meanwhile, Arsenal lost their opening group game to Dinamo Zagreb and need to secure victory tonight to reignite their hopes of finishing above Bayern Munich.