Arsenal v Olympiacos live: Saka scores late goal to secure Champions League points for Gunners
The Gunners host the Greek champions as they look to maintain a 100 per cent winning record in Europe
Arsenal secured a vital three points in their Champions League clash with Olympiacos as Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka’s goals proved decisive at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners started the game well and controlled play superbly with accurate passes and determined play in the final third bypassing the Greek side’s attempted press.
Viktor Gyokeres thought he’d broken the deadlock when shrugging off both centre-backs and feeding a shot past Kostas Tzolakis. The ball hit the post but Martinelli was on hand to tap in the rebound and send the hosts ahead.
From there, Arsenal looked likely to increase their lead, especially in the first half, but substitutions made by José Luis Mendilibar swung the momentum in favour of Olympiacos. The visitors dictated play in the second half and forced some crucial stops out of David Raya as Arsenal were made to defend deep.
Mikel Arteta made changes of his own to regain control of the match and Saka struck in stoppage time to secure the points.
Relive the latest updates from the Emirates below:
Arsenal keep winning momentum going with nervous victory over Olympiacos
Bukayo Saka eased some increasingly frayed Arsenal nerves with a late strike to secure a 2-0 Champions League win over Olympiacos.
Gabriel Martinelli had opened the scoring with a 12th-minute tap-in on what looked set to be a routine evening at the Emirates Stadium.
But the Gunners missed chance after chance to bury the Greek champions, and for all their dominance they were indebted to a stunning one-handed save by David Raya from a point-blank volley from former Wolves forward Daniel Podence.
Arsenal keep winning momentum going with nervous victory over Olympiacos
Odegaard named player of the match
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been named Player of the Match.
The Uefa Technical Observer Group said: "He was always involved in Arsenal's attacks and had good vision for the final pass, linking well with the attackers and managing the tempo of the game."
A break in routine
Arsenal's 2-0 victory tonight means it's the first time in seven meetings between these sides that the home side has won.
The previous six fixtures were all won by the away team.
'We want to win'
Gabriel Martinelli gave a quick reaction to Arsenal’s victory and outlined the aim of the team this season.
He said: “We want to win every title we play for and that’s what we’ll try to do.”
Full-time! Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos
90+5 mins: The whistle goes and Arsenal take home the points!
They’re two wins from two in the Champions League league phase.
The Gunners’ first half performance should have won them the match but Olympiacos responded well to Martinelli’s goal and it was Saka’s late strike which settled proceedings.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos (Bukayo Saka, 90+2')
That’s it!
Bukayo Saka settles the nerves of the Arsenal fans. A high press wins the ball back for Arsenal and Martin Odegaard slips a threaded pass into the box for Saka.
He collects the ball and drills it low through the legs of the goalkeeper to make Arsenal’s win beyond doubt.
Arsenal 1-0 Olympiacos
90 mins: Five minutes of added time to play at the Emirates.
Can Arsenal hold on?
Arsenal 1-0 Olympiacos
85 mins: A floaty header lands in the hands of David Raya as Olympiacos continue to burst forward.
Arsenal’s defence has been up to the task so far.
Arsenal 1-0 Olympiacos
82 mins: Save!
A superb switch of play from Arsenal sees the ball drop to Saka on the right.
He drives up to the box and dribbles past the right back before slotting the ball back to Odegaard.
The Arsenal captain shoots but Tzolakis sticks out a hand to deny him a goal.
Retsos is there as well to deflect the follow up shot.
Great defending!
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