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

Gervinho, Podolski and Ramsey goals seal win against Greeks

Arsenal were far from their best on Wednesday night at the Emirates but still managed to come away with victory against Greek Champions Olympiacos. The Gunners struggled to find any rhythm in the first half as they kept losing possession of the ball and were sloppy in defence. However they still came away with the all important 3 points which meant Arsenal have taken an extra step towards securing qualification from the group stages. Gervinho and Podolski once again got the goals as Aaron Ramsey scored late on to secure the win over the Greek side. There were 2 changes to the starting line-up from the weekend's defeat to Chelsea as Oxlade-Chamberlain came in for Ramsey who was dropped to the bench, whilst Coquelin came in for the once again injured Abou Diaby. Meanwhile Per Mertesacker was suffering from illness so Koscielny partnered Vermaelen at the heart of the defence again.

Aaron Ramsey came off the bench to seal the win for Arsenal deep into injury time.

The first chance of the game came through a mistake at the back from Arsenal. Mannone's goal kick went straight to an Olympiacos player but luckily for the Gunners, Olympiacos couldn't take advantage of the opportunity and the ball was put out for a corner.

Arsenal's first shot on goal came from the boot of Santi Cazorla as he hit a curling free-kick from the left hand side which Megyeri in the Olympiacos goal did well to tip over.

Just before the half hour mark, Olympiacos almost found a goal which would have given them the lead. Machado managed to find Mitroglou who hit a low shot from the edge of the area which Mannone had to sprawl across his goal to keep out.

Machado then had a chance of his own to convert as a cross was swung in but the ball was some how put high and wide from six yards out.

Four minutes before the break and against the run of play, Arsenal took the lead. Podolski got the ball on the left and then found Arteta. However he lost possession but the ball fell nicely to Gervinho to fire home from outside the box.

The Greek Champions then came straight back at Arsenal as Machado had space to smash a shot from distance but it was straight at Mannone who held onto the ball.

The action for the half was not over though as Olympiacos equalised. The ball was put into the box perfectly for Mitroglou who headed the ball into the back of the net.

The score at half time was 1-1.

Just after the break Santi Cazorla had a great chance to put Arsenal back in front. Gervinho did well down the left and then found Cazorla but he side footed the ball wide.

The Greek sides first shot on goal in the second half came from their goalscorer Mitroglou as he struck the ball from outside the penalty area but it flashed wide of the goal.

It was Arsenal though who got the goal to send them in front. Gervinho got fortunate down the left hand side as his failed cross fell straight back to him and at the second time found Podolski who turned and fired the ball in off the goalkeeper.

Laurent Koscielny then had a good opportunity to extend the lead as he got on the end of Arteta's free kick but the Frenchman headed over from close range.

With eight minutes left to play Arsenal were looking for the goal that would wrap up the game and almost got it through Olivier Giroud as he got on the end of Walcott's cross, but the keeper kept it out.

Giroud then had another chance to get a goal as Cazorla got to the byline and found the French striker who smashed the ball towards goal but it hit a defender and bounced wide.

Deep into injury time and the game was finally finished off. Mannone's goal kick was flicked on by Giroud into the path of Ramsey who ran in on goal before dinking the ball over the goal keeper to seal the victory.

The final score finished Arsenal 3-1 Olympiacos.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Mannone, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Coquelin, Arteta, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain(70), Gervinho(80), Podolski(80).
Subs: Shea, Djourou, Santos, Ramsey(80), Arshavin, Walcott(70), Giroud(80).

Olympiacos:  Megyeri, Diakite(73), Manolas, Contreras, Holebas, Siovas, Maniatis, Machado(80), Fuster, Greco(66), Mitroglou.
Subs: Carroll, Modesto, Ibagaza, Lykogiannis, Diogo, Abdoun(66), Pantelic(80).

Man of the match: Gervinho

Referee: Svein Oddvar Moen
Attendance: 60,034

Arsenal suffer defeat in final group game

Arsenal suffered a 3-1 defeat to Olympiacos in their final Champions League group game. Poor goalkeeping and bad defending led to all three goals. Benayoun offered hope late on for an unbeaten group stage but the Greek side were too strong on the night. However the loss did not matter as Arsenal were already through to the knockout stages of the competition and were also guaranteed top spot in Group F. Because of the guarantee of knockout football in the new year, Arsenal rested key men and played their second team as the likes of Chamakh, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Squillaci and Miquel all featured. However despite the loss the biggest defeat on the night seemed to be the injuries to Santos and to Fabianski who was stretchered off early on in the game.

Defensive and goalkeeping errors cost Arsenal the game

The first chance of the game came to Arsenal and Arshavin. Chamakh was played through down the right hand side; he was then allowed time to play in Arshavin who was unmarked but fired his shot straight at Megyeri in the Olympiacos goal when he should have scored.

Arsenal's next chance fell to Emmanuel Frimpong as Chamakh again was allowed to provide an opportunity for a team mate as he found Frimpong but he could only curl his shot into the side netting.

However fifteen minutes in and with Olympiacos' first chance of the game they took the lead. The ball was slipped through to Djebbour who went round Fabianski and put the ball into an empty net.

Olympiacos then could have doubled their lead. First Mirallas went close with an effort from outside the box which had Fabianski backpedalling. However with the second chance Djebbour could not make contact with the ball, instead smashed into Fabianski. As a result of the clash the Arsenal keeper was substituted in place of Vito Mannone who made his first appearance of the season.

Arsenal were still looking to threaten as Oxlade-Chamberlain got past his man before crossing the ball back to Benayoun who on the volley hit his shot wide.

With 10 minutes to go until the break Olympiacos doubled their lead through an error from Mannone in the Arsenal goal. Mannone raced out of goal to head the ball clear, however the ball bounced straight to Fuster who struck a shot which found the net in weird circumstances. Mannone had not realised he was back in his box and tried to clear the ball with his feet but missed it and the Greek side found themselves 2-0 up.

Djebbour then had a good chance to get his second of the night as he got to a corner at the front post but to only to see his header hit the side netting.

The Greek side were playing the better football and almost scored another. Djourou gave the ball away to Maniatis who could only find the hands of Mannone who made an easy save.

The score at half time was 2-0 to Olympiacos.

Olympiacos started the second half just as they had finished the second. The first chance fell to Modesto after Santos' header could only find him. Modesto then drove the shot but it was kept out comfortably and the ball went out for a corner.

From the resulting corner Olof Melberg rose the highest to get to the ball but unluckily for him saw his header clip the bar and go out.

Arsenal finally did manage to create another chance as minutes before the hour mark Yossi Benayoun scored to put the Gunners back into the match. Miquel found space on the left hand side before picking out Chamakh inside the box. He then chested the ball back to Benayoun who fiercely smashed a shot towards goal which found the back of the net.

However Olympiacos were still pushing for a third goal. The ball was cleverly clipped over the Arsenal defence and with Mannone slow coming out of his goal Modesto got to the ball first but only to waste another chance and his header went wide once again.

The Gunners managed to create another chance as the ball was played through to Rosicky but his attempted effort on goal was kept out by Megyeri.

Olympiacos who needed to win and hope that results went their way were still on the attack. This time Mirallas went close after cutting inside past Miquel but his shot went untroubled and hit the side netting.

With a minute left to play, the hosts got a deserved third goal as Mellberg's header came back off the post and straight to Modesto who scored from close range to seal the victory.

The final score ended Olympiacos 3-1 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Olympiacos: Megyeri, Maniatis, Modesto, Mellberg, Holebas(37), Papadopoulos, Marcano, Torosidis, Fuster(64), Djebbour(90), Mirallas.
Subs: Costanzo, Papazoglou(90), Poutouridis, Orbaiz(37), Fetfatzidis, Abdoun(64), Pantelic. 

Arsenal: Fabianski(25), Djourou, Vermaelen, Squillaci, Santos(51), Frimpong, Coquelin(67), Benayoun, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arshavin, Chamakh.
Subs: Mannone(25), Yennaris, Miquel(51), Eastmond, Ozyakup, Rosicky(67), Park.

My man of the match: Yossi Benayoun

Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco
Attendance: 32,000

Arsenal continue good form with nervy win in Europe

Arsenal picked up crucial 3 points in a 2-1 win over Greek side Olympiacos in a Champions League Group F match on Wednesday night at the Emirates. Andre Santos scored his first Arsenal goal whilst  Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gave the Gunners the lead on his European Debut. Arsenal dominated the early parts of the game and it looked as though they could have got way more than two goals in the game as chances once again went begging. A spirited fight back though from Olympiacos made life tough as Arsenal were on the back foot for much of the second half as they looked to hold on for the victory.  Arsenal made quite a few changes as they were looking to rest key men with Tottenham in mind for the weekend so Chamakh replaced Van Persie up front. Arshavin came in for Gervinho whilst Chamberlain was in the side for Walcott. Song started in defence and Rosicky was back to full fitness to captain the side.

Santos scored his first Arsenal goal

The first chance of the game fell to the visitors as Fesja got past Santos and then found Fuster but he could only pull his shot wide of the goal.

However, when Arsenal's first chance came they took it to take the lead just eight minutes into the game. Song playing the ball up to Oxlade-Chamberlain who got into the box and comfortably buried a left footed shot into the back of the net for a European debut goal.

Olympiacos then had a great chance to grab an equaliser, as a corner bounced off a few players before finding Djebbour 3 yards out but somehow saw Arteta block his shot on the line.

Just 20 minutes in and Arsenal made it 2-0. Rosicky playing the ball down the left hand side into the path of Santos who tried playing Chamakh in. However the defender got to the ball first but could only give the ball straight back to Santos who got past one man before firing a shot home from a tight angle.

Arsenal were dominating the early parts of the game and they should have made it 3 as Arshavin chipped the ball into Chamakh but he dragged his shot wide from inside the box.

However, despite the dominance the defence was still an issue as Olympiacos got back into the game on twenty seven minutes. Ibagaza finding himself in lots of space before playing the ball into the box and towards Fuster who got up and headed home for 2-1.

Olympiacos and Mirallas then had two decent chances to equalise. The first was put wide from a cross into the box and the second Mirallas got past Mertesacker before hitting a shot which was parmed away by Szczesny.

The score at half time was 2-1 to Arsenal.

Chamakh tried hard but just couldn't score

Oympiacos created the first chance of the second half as Fuster found Mirallas on the edge of the box. He tried to get past the man but the ball bounced off him but back to Mirallas who manged to hit a swerving shot which just went wide of the goal.

Arsenal's first real chance fell to Oxlade-Chamberlain who was found by Chamakh, but from a tight angle the teenager tried to chip Costanzo in the Olympiacos goal but he managed to keep the shot out.

Olympiacos then came close once again as Torosidis got past Santos before hitting a curling shot from the edge of the box which smacked the cross bar and came back out.

It was end to end football and The Gunners created a great chance to extend their lead back to two. Ramsey managed to play Arshavin who raced into the box before tricking his way past one defender and poking a shot towards goal but Costanzo manged to deny Arsenal again.


The final score ended Arsenal 2-1 Olympiacos.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Song, Santos, Frimpong, Arteta, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain(68), Arshavin(83), Chamakh(70).
Subs: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Gibbs(83), Coquelin, Ramsey(68), Park, Van Persie(70).

Olympiacos: Costanzo, Torosidis, Mellberg, Marcano, Holesbas, Ibagaza, Fuster(80), Fesja, Djebbour, Orbaiz(75), Mirallas(75).
Subs: Megyeri, Modesto(75), Potouridis, Makoun, Abdoun(75), Papadopoulos, Pantelic(80).

My man of the match: Marouane Chamakh

Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo
Attendance: 59,676