ARSENAL took control of their Europa League last-16 tie against Olympiacos with victory in Greece.
- Final score: Olympiacos 1-3 Arsenal
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THAT’S ALL FROM PIRAEUS
Arsenal made a giant leap towards the Europa League quarter-finals after beating Olympiacos 3-1 at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium.
The Gunners opened the scoring after 34 minutes thanks to Martin Odegaard’s screamer.
The hosts came close to an equaliser shortly before half-time when David Luiz gifted the ball to Giorgos Masouras inside the box but the winger sent it wide.
Olympiacos scored an equaliser on 58 minutes when Dani Ceballos was dispossessed at the back by Youssef El Arabi, who beat Bernd Leno with a beautiful finish.
But Arsenal fought back and regained the lead in the 79th minute thanks to a towering header by Gabriel, who picked up a fast corner-kick by Willian.
Olympiacos protested for a foul on Yann M’Vila as the centre-back got him with an elbow to the ear so heavily that the midfielder needed medical attention.
Arsenal sealed the win, and probably qualification, with a second screamer, this time from Mohamed Elneny, five minutes before full-time.
That’s all from us, have a beautiful night!
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MARTINS REACTS
Olympiacos manager Pedro Martins insists nothing is finished and claims the referee should have taken a closer look on Arsenal’s second goal as he hinted that Gabriel had fouled Yann M’Vila when he jumped for the header.
Martins said: “There was one decision from the referee that was influenced by the opponent’s reaction.
“The decisions were in favour of the supposed bigger team. He should have analysed it better, but now we have to put it behind and think about our next game.
“As far as we’re concerned, nothing is finished. Things are tough but we’re going to London to do the best we can, to go after our full potential.
“In our minds, nothing’s over even though things are difficult.”
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ARTETA REACTS
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta claims his team showed a lot of character in the way they responded to Olympiacos’ equaliser.
Arteta added that Thomas Partey came off because of a tactical decision as the player is fit enough to compete in the north London derby against Tottenham.
The Arsenal boss said: “I think it shows the spirit in the team and the way we back each other.
“One player makes a mistake and then we react. That’s what it’s about is being a team. When one player makes a mistake you have to strike back as a team and we did that today.
“No, it was a tactical decision [subbing Partey].”
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HOW DO ARSENAL GO THROUGH?
Arsenal made a decisive step forward in their bid to qualify for the Europa League quarter-finals thanks to their 3-1 win in Greece.
The Gunners have scored three away goals against Olympiacos, who are facing an uphill road ahead of the return fixture.
The reigning Greek champions will have to score at least three times to hope for qualification.
If Arsenal hit the target then the Piraeus outfit is still going to need to beat Bernd Leno three times to force extra-time.
Last year’s qualification was stunning, but if Olympiacos are to make it through then they are going to need to put together a much bigger effort
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SCORE
Arsenal’s season at home hasn’t gone the way they hoped it would.
But the Gunners have been rather dominant in Europe.
The Europa League is basically the north Londoners’ last resort to make it back to the Champions League and no one can say they can’t win it!
More below:
WILL-ING AND ABLE
Willian has yet to score ever since joining Arsenal from Chelsea in the summer.
But that doesn’t mean the star winger hasn’t been crucial for the Gunners.
The Brazil international has provided more assists that any other Arsenal player across all competitions.
More below:
STATS
Arsenal controlled 59 per cent of possession throughout the match.
The Gunners completed a total of 18 shots, with a eight going on target.
Olympiacos only got six with a mere two of them going on target.
A good night for Arsenal ahead of the north London derby with Tottenham
FT: OLYMPIACOS 1-3 ARSENAL
Arsenal have made a giant leap towards the Europa League quarter-finals.
The Gunners opened the scoring thanks to a screamer by Martin Odegaard after 34 minutes.
Olympiacos came close to an equaliser soon after when David Luiz gifted the ball to Giorgos Masouras inside the box but the winger sent it wide.
The hosts got back in the tie when Dani Ceballos was dispossed by Youssef El Arabi at the back and the star striker beat Bernd Leno on 58 minutes.
El Arabi’s equaliser raised the Greek giants’ hopes but a towering header by Gabriel from a Willian corner-kick put Arsenal back in front after 79 minutes.
Olympiacos complained for a foul on M’Vila, who needed medical attention afterwards due to the defender elbowing his ear.
Arsenal sealed the win, and probably qualification, with Mohamed Elneny’s screamer just five minutes before full-time
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PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
AND THAT’S IT IN PIRAEUS!!!!!!!!
OLYMPIACOS 1-3 ARSENAL
90+2 Here’s how Elneny may have sealed qualification for Arsenal!
Looks a lot like Odegaard’s screamer, doesn’t it?
OLYMPIACOS 1-3 ARSENAL
90 Five more minutes of added time to go.
And Lacazette just tried to find Pepe from the right flank but the winger’s shot went wide!
OLYMPIACOS 1-3 ARSENAL
88 SUBSTITUTION
Arsenal boss Arteta brings on Lacazette for Aubameyang.
At the same time Olympiacos manager Martings introduces Androutsos for Masouras
OLYMPIACOS 1-3 ARSENAL
85 Elneny, who just came on, fires an incredible shot from 20 yards away and beats Sa in his lower right corner.
The Olympiacos keeper gets a touch but can’t stop the ball from goin in.
Sa is going through a bad spell for the Greek champions
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL!
ARSENAL SCORE AGAIN WITH ELNENY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OLYMPIACOS 1-2 ARSENAL
84 WHAT A CHANCE!
Pepe passes to Bellerin on the right and Arsenal star gets a low cross through that almost touches the goal line.
But there’s no one there to tap it in!
OLYMPIACOS 1-2 ARSENAL
83 The goal stands, although it does seem like Gabriel’s elbow was too rough on M’Vila.
Arsenal must be a major favourite to go through now with two away goals.
Referee booked a member of the Olympiacos coaching staff for protesting
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OLYMPIACOS 1-2 ARSENAL
82 SUBSTITUTION
Arsenal manager Arteta makes a lot of changes to rest key players for the north London derby.
Elneny, Smith Rowe and Pepe coming on for Odegaard, Saka and Willian.
OLYMPIACOS 1-2 ARSENAL
79 Willian delivers a corner-kick quickly and finds Gabriel.
The Arsenal star jumps higher than M’Vila and gets a header in that goes behind Sa’s net.
Olympiacos are protesting for a foul on M’Vila, who is requiring medical attention as he appears to have gotten an elbow
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL!
ARSENAL GO BACK IN FRONT WITH GABRIEL!!!!!!!!
OLYMPIACOS 1-1 ARSENAL
77 SUBSTITUTION
Olympiacos manager Martins brings on a major impact in Hassan who replaces scorer El Arabi.
Reminding that the Egypt international was the one who gave both of the hosts’ wins in Europe against Marseille and PSV Eindhoven
OLYMPIACOS 1-1 ARSENAL
75 Arsenal are slowly beginning to become more threatening mainly through their attack s from the left.
Willian just whipped in a shot but didn’t worry Sa – the Brazilian is still looking for his first goal
OLYMPIACOS 1-1 ARSENAL
72 We told you about Ceballos’ mistakes in the Europa League.
What we didn’t tell you is how bad it actually is!
OLYMPIACOS 1-1 ARSENAL
70 Olympiacos have gained a lot of consifidence after El Arabi’s goal.
They are gaining a lot of ground and put a temporary end to Arsenal’s dominance in possession
OLYMPIACOS 1-1 ARSENAL
67 WHAT A CHANCE
Fortounis gets on the right side of the box and feeds El Arabi, who is completely unmarked.
He shoots but the ball goes out after a deflection.
Nothing comes off the corner-kick
OLYMPIACOS 1-1 ARSENAL
65 Olympiacos are back to keeping the lines back and defending.
They wait for a good counter-attack or another mistake by Arsenal’s defence.
As we all know, they’re not afraid of the Emirates as they’ve won both of their last visits to north London
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
