Arsenal through despite loss in Greece

Arsenal lost their final group match of this seasons Champions League however still went through as group runners up. The Gunners had taken a more or less second string team to face Olympiacos and that was shown as they suffered a 2-1 defeat despite Rosicky's first half goal. There were some impressive performances from the likes of Meade who was starting his first senior game whilst Thomas Rosicky was at the heart of most things before he came off. However some players were far from their best. Ramsey was at fault for one of the goals and also missed a great chance whilst Chamakh was non-existent, as was Gervinho in the second half. There were lots of changes as mentioned above as Squillaci played in his first match this season whilst the substitutes included teenagers like Akpom, Ansah and Angha.

 Rosicky was Arsenal's star man as he started following his injury

The first shot of the match came from Gervinho as he worked the ball well down the left hand side before blazing the ball wide.

Olympiacos' first chance came from Djebbour as he managed to get to the byline and then hit a shot but Szczesny and an Arsenal defender were in the way to deny him.

Arsenal then had a brilliant chance to take the lead as Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross was knocked down by Chamakh and into the path of Ramsey. However he failed to make any real contact with the ball and the chance went begging.

The Greek side next saw a header from a corner cleared off the line as Vermaelen managed to stop his side from going behind.

Szczesny then had to be at his best as Abdoun got into the penalty area before striking a shot which was beaten away well by the Arsenal goalkeeper.

The hosts were dominating and shortly after had another chance as Djebbour got his head to an inswinging corner but it was straight at Szczesny.

Despite Olympiacos having all the early chances it was Arsenal who took the lead. Gervinho did well to get down the right hand side before cutting the ball back to Rosicky who fired the ball past Carroll and into the back of the net.

The score at half time was 1-0 to Arsenal.

The first chance of the second half was a tough one as Chamakh was played down the wing and then put in a lofted ball over to Arshavin but his header went over the bar.

Olympiacos' first chance of the half came to Fejsa as the ball broke to him 8 yards out but he stuck his shot in the side netting.

Arshavin was to have the Gunners next chance aswell as Gervinho played it to the Russian but Carroll made a good save to deny Arsenal extending their lead.

The Greeks then finally took the lead though as a downward header bounced off of Ramsey and into the path of Maniatis who found the net for the equaliser.

Shortly after Arsenal really should've been behind as the ball was swung in by Machado but Djebbour some how headed wide from seven yards out.

The Gunners then did indeed find themselves behind as Mitrgolou was allowed to turn on the edge of the area before curling the ball home past Szczesny.

The final score finished Olympiacos 2-1 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Olympiacos: Carroll, Torosidis, Contreras, Manolas, Diakite, Fejsa(60), Maniatis, Machado, Abdoun(72), Djebbour(81), Greco. 
Subs: Megyeri, Ibagaza(81), Pantelic, Mitroglou(72), Fetfatzidis, Fuster(60), Slovas. 

Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Squillaci, Vermaelen, Meade(83), Coquelin, Rosicky(45), Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Chamakh.
Subs: Shea, Monteiro, Hajrovic, Angha(83), Arshavin(45), Angha, Akpom.

My man of the match: Thomas Rosicky

Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco(ESP)
Attendance: 30,000