Rocket Man
Arsenal put one foot firmly in the quarter finals of the Europa League after defeating Olympiakos 3-1 in Athens, after two late goals meant a defensive mix up isn’t the main talking point.
Mikel Arteta’s men were one nil up when a poor ball from Bernd Leno gave Dani Ceballos little chance to bring it under control and Youssef El-Arabi punished them with an equaliser.
However, late goals from Gabriel and Mohamed Elneny mean that Arsenal can move on to the North London Derby off the back of a positive result.
The evening started well for the Gunners and Martin Odegaard scored his first goal for Arsenal, and what a hit it was.
The Norwegian, who is on loan from Real Madrid, had been quiet in the game, but his strike from the edge of the area was one of real quality and it flew into the back of the net, beyond the reach of Jose Sa, who perhaps should have done better.
Martin Odegaard, THAT is spectacular! 😱🔥
What a way to get his debut Arsenal goal… 🚀 pic.twitter.com/OnX6exkHvp
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 11, 2021
The goal, a vital away one, allowed Arsenal to go into half time on top in a ground they have struggled at before.
5- Arsenal had five shots on target in the first half against Olympiakos, only once in all competitions this season have they had more in the opening 45 minutes of a match (6 vs West Brom in January). Peppered
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 11, 2021
Arsenal were unable to build on to their lead however and gifted Olympiakos a 58th minute equaliser. They were caught trying to play the ball out from the back, with Dani Ceballos getting caught in possession and Youssef El-Arabi took a touch before firing home.
✅ Mix up at the back
✅ El-Arabi scoring against the GunnersIt’s a double dose of deja vu for Arsenal. 😬 #UEL pic.twitter.com/k2Gs4a0kNO
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 11, 2021
Arsenal shoot themselves in the foot again. Leno plays it to Ceballos, who is caught in possession, and El-Arabi scores.
Olympiacos 1-1 Arsenal.
— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) March 11, 2021
Late Rally
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on September 19, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
However Arsenal rallied and Gabriel scored a great header in the 79th minute.
That is an unbelievable header from Gabriel. He’s going away from goal as he meets it. It’s now four assists in the last four matches for Willian, by the way…
— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) March 11, 2021
Then in the 85th minute Elneny let fly with and found the net.
Elneny only scores screamers. 😎🚀
Moments after Gabriel put them back in front, Arsenal’s evening just got that little bit better! 🔥 #UEL pic.twitter.com/dlJ6SV12cD
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 11, 2021
Once again Arsenal nearly fell victim to their own dodgy defending, but for once they had enough to ensure they go into the second leg with a genuine advantage.
