Arsenal v. Olympiakos 2-0 29/Sep/09

Nikopolidis, the man of the match.
[Photo: Getty Images through UEFA]



Arsenal took another step in a rather peculiar manner in their first European group stage home game this season against the Greek team Olympiakos. Even without notable absences such as Bendtner, Denilson and Almunia, the Gunners offered yet another late display to reach the six points mark, leading group. The match, was dull at times, with the Londoners cornering the Greeks as early as the first minutes. This match served its purpose: a good step forward previous to the match of clients Blackburn next Sunday in the same venue.




[Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images through Guardian]



Hostilities began at the Grove in a pure offensive manner: Arsenal had three blocked chances before the 10th minute mark and the tincture of the game was already seen at the 13th; Arsenal dominating with an overwhelming power against a greekish Greek team ('greekish' meaning their display in the EURO 2004). Nikopolidis denied Arshavin in the 13th, woodwork from Cesc at 15th and as Ricardo Ortiz stated "It was a miracle that the match [was] goal-less".
Reaching the 25th minute, and with already four corners for Arsenal, there was that awkward familiar sense to the Gooners that at any time around the sixtieth minute span could easily have scored twice or thrice but still, they managed to avoid it in such a nonsensical way that even the most neutral of viewers could have felt threatened by the waste of chances.
Cesc, with two on target, was returning to his old magnificence midfield-maestro ways. Although the Greek side showed some signs of life, each and everyone of the attempts that came towards Mannone's goal was repelled by the resilience of Clichy and Vermaelen. Just before halftime whistle chances by Rosicky, van Persie and Cesc were all out. 13 shots, seven on target, as well as 7 corners and 50% of possession were the outcome of the first period.




[Photo: Mirror Football]



Unlike the beginning of the first half, Olympiakos showed some attempts which obviously decreased. Mannone's reflexes were proven again and he responded. After a little booking incident which requires no further examination, the Gunners began again the siege, which seemed now more troubled as Zico's men appeared tired.
Due to the fact that all the gaps were closed by the Greek defence a replacement was needed. Eduardo came in, in the 66th, for Rosicky. After the substitution the Gunners began the siege of the last twenty minutes as it was rather obvious that the lead will come in any minute of the following. Just before the European season debut for Vela, three clear chances were palmed away by the brilliant Nikopolidis.
As desperation grew among Arsenal fans the late lead arrived in the 78th minute. Finally the first goal came on the left wing as Fabregas coupled with Eduardo, who found van Persie in the centre. Arshavin summed up very well with Cesc and Ramsey to give Arsenal the second of the night. It was an apparent offside but the lacklustre performance of the Greek defence went down as Nikopolidis stretch was effortless. The final attempts of Olympiakos on Mannone's goal were futile: again Arsenal atoned their mistakes of their lack of finishing to win a fairly decent clash.