Arsenal strengthened their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 victory over Olympiacos at the Emirates, a result that keeps Mikel Arteta’s side in strong momentum in the league phase.
Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka ensured the Premier League side collected all three points in front of an electric home crowd.
The breakthrough came through Martinelli, who opened the scoring with a composed finish after linking up neatly with his attacking teammates.
The goal provided Arsenal with momentum, as they controlled possession and dictated the tempo for large stretches of the game.
Despite their dominance, Arsenal were made to work hard against a determined Olympiacos side. The visitors pressed late on and had a penalty check go in their favour, 1but Arsenal survived a potential handball scare.
For long periods of the second half, the London side looked nervous as Olympiacos grew into the game. Bukayo Saka then eased the tension in stoppage time with a decisive strike to double Arsenal’s advantage.
The England international timed his run perfectly into the box and powered his shot past goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis, sealing the result in front of jubilant fans.
The result was a compliment for Arteta’s side, who have won their first trip in the competition away at Athletic Club with a 1-0 win on the opening match day.
For Olympiacos, the defeat was a bitter blow. The Greek side had periods of promise, particularly late in the match when they pushed forward aggressively in search of an equaliser. Their inability to take chances, however, left them vulnerable, and Arsenal’s quality ultimately proved the difference.
With this win, Arsenal maintain strong momentum heading into the next round of fixtures. Arteta’s men will now turn their attention back to domestic duties, but the result serves as a reminder that the Gunners are finding the balance between grit and flair required to compete in Europe’s top competition.
