Arsenal made it two wins out of two within the Champions League as Bukayo Saka’s stoppage-time objective sealed a 2-0 victory over Olympiakos on the Emirates Stadium.
Saka, on as a second-half substitute, fired by means of the legs of Olympiakos goalkeeper Kostas Tzolakis from Martin Odegaard’s go after Gabriel Martinelli had tapped in an early opener when a Viktor Gyokeres shot bounced again off the submit.
The Gunners seemed set for a cushty night on the time of Martinelli’s objective however had been made to work for the win by Olympiakos, who threatened an equaliser in a generally nervy second half.
David Raya was referred to as into motion on a number of events within the second interval and likewise pulled off a shocking one-handed save to disclaim Daniel Podence in an in any other case one-sided first half.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta made six adjustments from Sunday’s late win over Newcastle however the alterations did not seem to have an effect on the house aspect’s fluency early on, though Gyokeres and Leandro Trossard had been unable to capitalise on scoring possibilities.
Their missed alternatives gave Olympiakos hope however Arsenal continued to threaten in patches, with the wonderful Odegaard denied by a Tzolakis save and a heroic Panagiotis Retsos block earlier than Saka lastly struck the killer objective.
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Sue Smith displays on Arsenal’s spectacular win towards Olympiakos within the Champions League
The win follows victory over Athletic Membership by the identical scoreline of their first sport and leaves Arsenal fifth within the league section desk, contained in the all-important prime eight locations.
The one concern was the late withdrawal of Gabriel, Arsenal’s match-winner towards Newcastle, who seemed in discomfort when changed by Cristhian Mosquera, however Arteta mentioned the centre-back needs to be okay.
“I think it was a kick, in the first half, and it was a bit uncomfortable. He could carry on but we decided not to take any risks because he’s played a lot of games. He’s coming back from a long-term injury and we need to look after him.”
Arteta hails Arsenal’s energy in depth
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta mentioned in his press convention:
“Very happy. Obviously, winning the Champions League is always very complicated. Keeping another clean sheet, we make it 11 in 14 games, which is remarkable from the boys.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli celebrates after scoring the opening objective
“We started the game really well. We looked a real threat, really dynamic, really playing forward, a lot of runs, a lot of threats.
“We created one other two or three huge possibilities and we do not put them away. On this competitors, you must watch out.”
On Arsenal’s depth, Arteta added: “With all respect, final season we had 5 academy gamers there [on the bench] that in all probability by no means performed skilled soccer, within the Champions League. So yeah, it makes a distinction.
“Today we decided to change six players because I want everybody to really be involved and feel part of it, and it was great.
Eberechi Eze and Saka applaud the followers
“We had the feeling as well that physically we were dropping because we played a really intense match in Newcastle a few days ago.
“Those that are available in once more, they lifted the extent, they helped us to win the sport, and that is nice.”
Analysis: Odegaard makes his point
The inclusion of Odegaard was one of Arteta’s six changes following his eye-catching impact from the bench against Newcastle. The club captain, fit again following his shoulder injury, delivered a display described by his manager as “phenomenal”.
His willingness to take responsibility on the ball shone through at St James’ Park and it was the same three days later at the Emirates Stadium. Odegaard had more touches, made more passes, and created more chances than any other player.
Odegaard has come under pressure for his place from Eberechi Eze this season. The former Crystal Palace midfielder has made an impressive start at his new club. But Odegaard looks determined to remind everyone he has plenty to offer too.
His greatest work got here within the type of a succession of very good passes to ship Arsenal gamers in behind the Olympiakos defence, the very best of which got here from deep in his personal half, curled behind Retsos for the onrushing Gyokeres.
Odegaard claimed an help with the go to arrange Saka’s second objective and he had an enormous hand within the opener too, releasing Gyokeres, whose highly effective run and shot off the submit left Martinelli with the simple process of making use of a close-range end.
After a tough marketing campaign final time period, he’s displaying indicators of getting again to his greatest, one in every of many Arsenal gamers who seems to be benefitting from the added competitors for locations.
Bukayo Saka celebrates with Declan Rice after scoring Arsenal’s second objective
Arsenal’s unimaginable clear sheet document
- Arsenal’s victory made it 14 straight house wins within the league section. This was their eleventh clear sheet in that run.
- Bukayo Saka’s strike was Arsenal’s sixth objective scored by substitutes in all competitions this season. Amongst Premier League sides, solely Brighton have scored extra.
- No participant has been concerned in additional objectives for Arsenal in all competitions this season than Gabriel Martinelli, with three objectives and one help.
- Myles Lewis-Skelly received six fouls, probably the most by an Arsenal participant in a Champions League match since Alexis Sanchez towards Barcelona in February 2016.
