Alex -Oxlade Chamberlain gave the Gunners the perfect start scoring his CL debut goal with a composed finish. The 18 year old brings a speedy presence and a cannonball shot to make an impressive presence up front.
Minutes later, Andre Santos racing down the left flank centers the ball to Marouane Chamakh who was denied by a sliding defender. The ball rolls free to Santos who cuts around the defender and slots the ball into the near post. Two up and Arsenal have this in the bag.
This being Arsenal they do not have it in the bag. Because there is a reason why this side has given up 14 goals in the Premiership. Once again, the defense goes to sleep as Olympiakos take a short corner and the ball is recycled to Ariel Ibizaga who launches a cross and David Fuster rises above unmolested to close the gap. It is now not a sickness as much as a pandemic that afflicts everyone and anyone that comes to Arsenal. Even previously reliable defenders like Per Mertesacker are showing signs of these inexplicable lapses of concentration.
The best piece of defending came from Mikel Arteta with a fabulous goal line save to deny Rafik Djebbour on a previous occasion. Arsenal faded after the Fuster goal and were pushed back by an energized Olympiakos. The second half started more brightly with Arsenal missing out a number of chances with about half involving Chamakh who continues to frustrate. The best chance fell for the Greek side who were unlucky to see Vassilis Torosidis angled left footer hit the crossbar in the closing minutes. By match end everyone included Wenger had been reduced to a nervous wreck. Watching Arsenal is not good for health and should come with a statutory warning.
In the other match, Marseilles dispatched Dortmund, 3-0 which was a result in favour of Arsenal. They now meet the Ligue side in two weeks.
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