ARSENAL were made to work in Athens as they beat Olympiacos 3-1 to give them a boost of advancing into the Europa League quarter-finals.
The Gunners left it late against their Greek opponents as they came close to once again being the architects of their downfall.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal impressed in Greece as they beat Olympiacos 3-1 in AthensCredit: Reuters
Martin Odegaard opened his account for the club with a scorching strike from distance, but then Bernd Leno gifted Olympiacos an equaliser in the second half.
But Arteta’s side came back fighting, as they scored twice late on through Gabriel and Mohamed Elneny.
Here’s how Jake Lambourne rated and slated the North Londoners.
Bernd Leno – 3/10
Once again the German was picking the ball out of his net after passing out from the back.
He played a hospital pass to Dani Ceballos, who was dispossessed by Youssef El-Arabi, who then curled home from 30 yards out.
The German should have just got rid of the ball, and he cost his side for the equaliser.
Bernd Leno almost cost his side after he decided to play out from the backCredit: BT Sport
Hector Bellerin – 6
The Spaniard was constantly looking to overlap Bukayo Saka down the right flank, and was always making himself available down the channel.
Made a crucual sliding block to deny El-Arabi from firing Olympiacos into the lead, but the right-back is still too slow getting back to his position.
David Luiz – 7
Almost gifted Giorgos Masouras a goal just before the break, as his pass across the box was cut out by the Greece international, who fired his effort high and wide.
But it was the only mistake the ex-Chelsea man made as he was dominant in the air as well as on the ground.
Gabriel – 8
In for Pablo Mari, the former Lille man isn’t as comfortable on the ball as his team-mate and often rushes his passes.
But he bullied attackers with his physicality, and was quick to cancel out potential threats.
And he showcased his aerial ability with a stunning header into the far corner to put Arsenal back in front.
Kieran Tierney – 7
As you’d expect from the Flying Scotsman, the left-back bombed down the left at will, with his speed and tenacity causing problems.
And he could have had himself an assist in the third minute when he played in Odegaard, but the playmaker dragged his shot wide.
Arsenal defender Gabriel got the Gunners back into the lead with a sublime headerCredit: AFP or licensors
Thomas Partey – 5
While he made a number of passes, the Ghanaian was dispossessed on numerous occasions, and didn’t seem at the races.
He did nothing major on the ball and coasted for the majority of the game.
Granit Xhaka – 7
With fans yet again on the Swiss international’s back following his gaffe away at Burnley, Xhaka put in a composed performance and rarely put a foot wrong.
Loose balls were won and counter-attacks were sniffed out. A top display from the ex-Borussia Monchengladbach man.
Willian – 6
The Brazilian has definitely improved in recent weeks, but there’s no question that the tempo slows down with the ball at his feet.
However, his final ball has been a lot better of late, and he got himself another assist after finding Gabriel at the back post.
Martin Odegaard put in a man of the match display as he starred for the visitorsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Martin Odegaard – 9
Without a doubt his best performance in an Arsenal shirt so far. The Norwegian fired home a thunderbolt from 25 yards out, though Jose Sa should have done better.
And it wasn’t just in the final third that Odegaard impressed, as he regularly darted back to help out his defence.
Bukayo Saka – 7
The Olympiacos defenders simply couldn’t deal with the winger who effortlessly glided past Oleg Reabciuk at will.
All that was missing from his performance was a goal.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 4
Should have fired the Gunners into an early lead in the sixth minute, but Sa tipped his header onto the bar.
And that was the only real chance he had after as he struggled to get into the game.
Mohamed Elneny wrapped up the win with a stunning strike from distanceCredit: Reuters
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Dani Ceballos – 5
He was only on for mere seconds before he was robbed of the ball from El-Arabi after turning into trouble.
Though he did some nice turn and a few quick bursts, it wasn’t a performance that will make him return to the starting XI.
Mohamed Elneny – 7
On as part of a triple substitution, the Egyptian scored a stunning long-range strike after being given the freedom to run to 25 yards out.
He showcased his threat from range earlier on in the competition away at Dundalk, and he was at it again in Greece.
Emile Smith Rowe – 5
Sprinted around the pitch and looked to close down every Olympiacos player.
But like many of the substitutes, he didn’t do too much with the ball.
Nicolas Pepe – 5
Missed a chance at the death to make it four, but otherwise failed to do anything.
Alexandre Lacazette – 5
Came on too late to make any impact in the game.
Thomas Partey admits he has struggled to adapt to Arsenal tactics since transfer
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
