Europa League

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
SUBS
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 More

MARTIN ODEGAARD scored his first Arsenal goal with an absolute rocket against Olympiacos on Thursday night.
The Gunners headed to Greece looking for revenge after being KO’d by the same opponents in last season’s Europa League last-32 stage.

Martin Odegaard opened his Arsenal account with a rocket of a shot against OlympiacosCredit: AP:Associated Press

Olympiacos stopper Jose Sa perhaps could have done better but was deceived by the flight and power of the shotCredit: Reuters

And Mikel Arteta’s squad got off to the perfect start with a little over half an hour on the clock.
Picking the ball up just right of centre, Odegaard cut inside and lashed a thunderbolt of a left-footed effort into the back of the net.
The Arsenal playmaker really put his laces through the ball, with the swerve clearly deceiving Olympiacos stopper Jose Sa.
As the ball flew directly at him, Sa appeared to lose track of the powerful effort.

Despite getting a weak wrist on it, the ball still ended up thundering into the back of the net.
It was only Odegaard’s second shot on target as an Arsenal player since arriving on loan from Real Madrid – but what a strike it was.
Odegaard had been largely anonymous in the game before blowing the game wide open with his long-range effort.
And Arsenal fans on Twitter were left staggered by the goal, with one writing: “What a goal by Martin Odegaard. Wow.”

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

Odegaard celebrated scoring his first Arsenal goal with only his second shot on targetCredit: AFP or licensors

Another tweeted: “Martin Odegaard, take a bow son.”
A third said: “Martin Odegaard learning from Lionel Messi. That’s an insane strike.”
Gabriel and Mo Elneny scored late on after Youssef Al-Arabi had equalised to put Mikel Arteta’s side in full control ahead of the second leg.
After the 3-1 win, Odegaard told BT Sport: “It is a big win for us, a great result with three goals away from home and win in this competition is always good.
“The mentality in this team is great. Very pleased with everything.
“We showed the spirit in the team and the way we back each other. If one player makes a mistake then we react.
“That is what it is about, being a team. When one player makes a mistake you have to strike back as a team.
“I wanted to get a shot on goal, luckily I had a good hit and it went in.
“I have felt at home since the first day, I am happy to be here and feel great.
“It is just half time. We have to keep going. We have a big game on Saturday and then have to be ready for next Thursday.
“It is very important, we are not where we want to be in the league so this is very important for us and a chance to get Champions League football next year.”

Odegaard was thrilled with Arsenal’s strong team performance in the win over OlympiacosCredit: AP:Associated Press
Just 24 hours earlier, Messi had scored a Puskas award contender of his own in Barcelona’s aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Similarly to Odegaard, the Argentine carried the ball from right-of-centre and lashed home an unstoppable left-footed drive.
Messi’s strike, though, left Keylor Navas no chance of even getting close.
Unfortunately for Messi, it wasn’t enough to pull over another ‘Remontada’, as Barca lost 5-2 to PSG on aggregate.
Kylian Mbappe scored PSG’s goal on the night and in doing so became the youngest player to score 25 Champions League goals… overtaking Messi by nearly a year.

Rio Ferdinand urges Arteta to treat Arsenal team like cheating girlfriend he can’t ‘trust’ More

MARTIN ODEGAARD timed his sweet strike to perfection.
Both in the sense of the literal connection his left foot made with the ball, booming it past a helpless Jose Sa from 25 yards.

Arsenal playmaker Martin Odegaard opened his account for the club in spectacular fashionCredit: AP:Associated Press

But also in terms of the wonderhit coming just when he needed it most… just as supporters were starting to lose their patience.
Odegaard has largely underwhelmed since joining Arsenal on loan from Real Madrid in January.
And with no option to buy him permanently in the summer, it is fair to question the business sense of developing the 22-year-old for another club’s benefit.
That is a lot easier for Gooners to swallow if the Norwegian is performing to such a high level that he elevates the whole team.

That has not happened so far and the frustration will no doubt have been building when he missed a sitter inside the opening minutes here, scuffing Kieran Tierney’s cutback wide.
A slack Odegaard pass then afforded Bruma a good opportunity but luckily for Arsenal, the Portuguese international could not capitalise.
All was forgotten though when, in the 34th minute, Odegaard unleashed hell.
It was as true a strike as you are likely to see on a football pitch – an “angry goal” as Gunners legend Ian Wright described it on Twitter.

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

The Norway international put in a man of the match display against OlympiacosCredit: AFP or licensors
The ball moved all over the place and flew past Sa, whose meek flap was no match for the speed and swerve of the shot.
It was a hell of a way to score his first goal for Arsenal, becoming the first Norwegian to net for the club and the 45th different nationality to do so.
Supporters will hope Odegaard, once dubbed the most exciting youngster in the world, can kick on from here.
The confident way he drove at the Olympiacos defence in the second half and set away Bukayo Saka hinted that could be the case. 
Arsenal shot themselves in the foot when yet another defensive cock-up gifted Youssef El-Arabi a leveller.

Arsenal go into the Europa League Round of 16 second leg with a 3-1 aggregate leadCredit: Reuters

But thankfully Gabriel’s stunning header and Mohamed Elneny’s thunderbolt put Mikel Arteta’s men back in the driving seat.
Yet having won in the away leg at Olympiacos in the Europa League knockout stages last season and subsequently thrown the tie away at home, Arsenal fans will know their side cannot ease up now.
The same can be said for Odegaard, having finally shown just what he is capable of.

Thomas Partey admits he has struggled to adapt to Arsenal tactics since transfer More