Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey adds gloss to victory over Olympiakos

Arsenal made a couple of late substitutions in this match, but that was no minor courtesy to the players introduced. It brought a welcome pause for the hosts as they held on to a 2-1 lead. A more luxurious moment came in stoppage time when the substitute Aaron Ramsey added a further goal with a very neat shot.

Arsène Wenger, serving a touchline ban, sat in the stands, leaving his assistant manager, Steve Bould, in charge. The latter saw a reaction to defeat by Chelsea last weekend. "It was tough, they made it tough for us. Without being fantastic," he said, "we got back on track before the weekend, which will be a tough game [at West Ham]."

There is something incongruous about thinking that a Champions League game could be some sort of warm-up for the Premier League. But, given their record, English clubs do have some cause to expect that a berth in the knockout phase is all but inevitable. Arsenal are more at ease in this competition than in domestic fixtures Victory was deserved here.

Olympiakos had shown endeavour but have now been beaten in both group games. Arsenal's concerns are marginal by comparison but they have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their past six matches.

Arsenal's command, to put it kindly, fluctuated against Olympiakos. They took the lead in the 42nd minute with a low drive by the dynamic Gervinho from the edge of the penalty area after a tackle by Mikel Arteta had brought the opportunity. Just before the interval, Olympiakos equalised when Kostas Mitroglou got free of Laurent Koscielny to head home a delivery from Leandro.

Although there has been a partial overhaul of the team, Arsenal sometimes look as if the European scene is the setting in which they are more likely to flourish, even if Olympiakos did check them in the opening 45 minutes.

Thomas Vermaelen, the Arsenal captain, was disappointed by his side's performance before half-time. "The second half was better – in the first half we were sloppy sometimes with the passing, we lost a lot of balls," the centre-back said. "We started well but the first half was not great."

It is unlikely that Wenger could have altered this contest immediately if he had been allowed his place in the technical area. His judgment, all the same, was felt to a degree. In the alterations to the lineup following the defeat here by Chelsea, there was no place for the centre-half Per Mertesacker. Bould, though, explained that the player has been unwell.

No one should suppose Wenger is a detached intellectual rather than an intensely engaged manager. It must have been agonising when there were no instructions to be given. The Frenchman would have yearned to communicate when the visitors might have scored in the 35th minute. Paul Machado was in position to connect with a cross from José Holebas, but merely lifted it over the bar.

Arsenal were busy enough but Olympiakos, already beaten in the group by visiting Schalke, were ready to take the risk of committing men into attack. The hosts had to deal with that increased purpose if this occasion was not to introduce anxiety to Arsenal's expectation of a simple advance to the knockout stage.

There can have been few neutrals among the onlookers but this match could have been regarded as a pleasure by anyone who cared for excitement and unpredictability. The home supporters, however, took a more intense satisfaction as a more forceful side claimed a 2-1 lead.

There was a mixture of insistence and quality when Gervinho linked with Santi Cazorla before the latter's cross was blocked and the ball ran back for him to set up Lukas Podolski for a goal. The real trial for Arsenal, then, had been the spasmodic nature of their work. Compliments were due to Olympiakos for their commitment. Excuses could be made for the fact that Arsenal continue to be a work in progress after some recasting of the squad in a summer that included Robin van Persie leaving for Old Trafford.

Olympiakos would have reckoned that a consecutive loss in the group would be irreparable, but not many visiting teams would have challenged Arsenal with such vigour on this ground.

Wenger's men, at times, were still striving just to make sure that Olympiakos were kept at bay. Instead of calming a match that Arsenal must have expected to win with some ease, there was a need to marshall forces and protect the advantage.

On this night, negotiating the stretch of the path towards the last 16 was full of jeopardy and, indeed, fascination.

Source: Kevin McCarra, The Guardian on 3 Oct 12

Not important but still annoying

The defeat in Greece was, in most respects, completely meaningless. However that doesn’t mean it wasn’t disappointing to see Arsenal get turned over given our recent form as a club. It also served a reminder of the dark days of the not-so-distant past, when our defence looked shaky and we were prone to spectacular goalkeeping mistakes.

Our first team defence, which had been beginning to look settled, is now going to be without its’ left back for the foreseeable future as Andre Santos picked up an ankle injury. We now have no fit full backs, either on the left or the right. Despite being our best centre back, I suspect Thomas Vermaelen will fill as a left back, with Johan Djourou as the right back. Laurent Koscielny can then move back into the centre to play with Per Mertesacker.

It also means we’re one injury away from Sebastien Squillaci playing regularly again. Having said last week he had a good game against Manchester City, Olympiacos saw the return of the Squillaci that we thought had played his last game for Arsenal. Per Mertesacker might have some critics, but he is such a massive improvement on Squillaci.

Staying with the defence leads to the issue of goalkeepers. We saw both Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone in Greece, and both of their performances have made fans love Wojciech Szczesny that little bit more. It almost seems unfathomable that Szczesny was behind Almunia, Fabianski and Mannone in the Arsenal goalkeeping pecking order at this time last year.

For the first Olympiakos goal, Fabianski was a bit hasty in coming off his line and the striker easily rounded him. Before getting injured, he was almost lobbed after a poor clearance. If we thought Fabianski didn’t inspire confidence, the way in which Mannone conceded the second goal took things to a completely different level. Initially, the Italian did well in clearing with his head, I don’t blame him for going out to clear when Squillaci was meant to be defending it. However with the ball going back towards goal, Mannone seemed to forget that goalkeepers can use their hands in the penalty area. It’s fair to say his attempted volleyed clearance wasn’t overly effective.

Honestly, when I saw the second goal I couldn’t help but laugh. In many ways it was football comedy gold. However if that happens in an important match, or if Wojciech Szczesny gets injured, it won’t be a laughing matter.

In fairness to both Fabianski and Mannone, it’s difficult to be thrust into an atmosphere like the one in Greece having played very little football this season. They were always going to be lacking match sharpness that can be very important for goalkeepers when making judgements. However, the harsh reality of top level football is that you can’t afford to need time to get up to speed in a game.

Going forward, we didn’t create as much as I thought we would with the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain, Benayoun and Arshavin occupying the three attacking positions behind Marouane Chamakh. All three of Oxlade-Chamberlain, Benayoun and Arshavin showed glimpses of danger, but we couldn’t sustain a solid amount of pressure to really test the Greeks. Benayoun’s goal was extremely well taken though, and as we head towards the busy Christmas and New Year period, I think he’s going to have a big part to play in the forthcoming weeks as we’ll need to rotate.

Overall, it’d be wrong to read too much into the match as the players were always going to have the safety of being top of the group in the back of their heads. They were never going to truly exert themselves, and with Olympiakos needing a win to have a chance of going through, it was going to be hard for the team to match the intensity of our opposition. However some of those in blue on Tuesday could have been playing for their Arsenal futures, and they didn’t give as much as they could, or should, have done.

We don’t need to dwell too much on Tuesday night, and there are still plenty of positives. It will have been a good experience for Emmanuel Frimpong, Francis Coquelin, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ignasi Miquel, we’re still through at the top of the group and the majority of the first choice XI at the moment had a well-deserved week off.

The next match on paper doesn’t look like a special one, with Everton visiting the Emirates on Saturday. However the club are using the match to mark our 125th anniversary, making it a game we won’t want to lose. Everton have had their traditional slow start to the season, however they’re never a team you look at in the fixture list and assume that you’ll get three easy points.

With Manchester City facing Chelsea, at least of the clubs around us will drop points, so we need to win to keep the pressure on. If Chelsea lose, we could climb back into the top four, and that would represent an excellent bit of work from the club, and would be a good checkpoint from which to push on to finish higher in the rest of the season. If Manchester City lose, they’re still too far ahead at the moment to realistically think about challenging them, but someone has stop them threatening the 2004 Invincibles. If Chelsea don’t do that, then who better to do so than Arsenal next week?

A win against Everton would be the best preparation for that.

Source: Sam Limbert, ESPN Soccernet on 7 Dec 11

Arsenal's Greek experiment ends in exit for hosts Olympiakos

This was no tragedy for Arsenal, more black comedy, as defensive blunders served to blot their Champions League Group F record. Yet the most notable damage was that visited upon André Santos's right ankle, with Arsène Wenger admitting that the left-back faced "a while" on the sidelines.

With progress to the last 16 as group winners already assured, the manager made sweeping changes and there was frustration to lose one of the precious few regulars that played. Santos suffered the sprain after making a clearance early in the second half and he headed for the flight back to London with his foot in a protective boot. Wenger also lost Lukasz Fabianski but the goalkeeper, who departed on a stretcher in the 25th minute after a collision with Rafik Djebbour, appears to have escaped with a deep cut to his left knee.

"Santos suffered a bad ankle injury," Wenger said. "He looks like he will be out for a while. We have [Kieran] Gibbs [the other established left-back] coming back in two to three weeks from his injury. Hopefully, Santos will not be too long but, for Saturday against Everton, he looks to be short. We have as well Thomas Vermaelen who can play in the position."

Wenger had hoped for a positive result to maintain momentum and he saw spirit, belatedly, from his team but the damage had been done by dreadful concessions. Vito Mannone, the substitute goalkeeper, will want to forget his error for David Fuster's goal but there was also an ugliness from his team's point of view about the Olympiakos opener.

Yossi Benayoun's wonderfully executed strike hinted at an unlikely revival and, with Olympiakos rather abruptly wracked by doubt, Arsenal almost snatched an equaliser; Balazs Megyeri denying the substitute Tomas Rosicky in a one-on-one. The Greek champions closed out the victory, François Modesto adding a late header, but the drama in Dortmund carried a bitter sting, Marseille's comeback victory pressing Olympiakos into the Europa League. This pulsating arena was stunned into disbelief at the death.

Wenger admitted that his team had been "insecure defensively" and the opening goal felt horrible to him. Fuster's pass should not have got beyond Sébastien Squillaci but he got into a tangle with Johan Djourou and Djebbour was in. He kept his cool to round Fabianski. It is a sad truth that when Squillaci plays, Arsenal look vulnerable.

There was further hilarity about Arsenal's defending for the second and this time, the replacement goalkeeper Mannone, who last played on loan at Hull City in April, was the fall guy. Having raced out to head clear under pressure from Kevin Mirallas, he lost his bearings and his composure when Fuster shot back at goal. Running back, Mannone tried to clear with his feet, even though he was inside his area, only to tie himself in a knot and miss his kick. The ball rolled almost apologetically into the net.

Arsenal had first-half chances through Andrey Arshavin, Emmanuel Frimpong and Benayoun but they came to feel under seige. Benayoun's rising drive from Marouane Chamakh's lay-off came against the run of play and it provoked jitters in the home team before the chaotic closing stages. Olympiakos could exhale when Olof Mellberg's header came back off the post and Modesto turned home but the news from Germany killed the mood.

Source: David Hytner, The Guardian on 6 Dec 11

Wenger's reaction to the Olympiacos 3-1 Arsenal match

on the result...
We had the early chances but Olympiacos played a very committed game. They made it a good battle and we lost too many balls in the first half especially. We were a bit insecure.

Overall they were 2-0 up because they were sharper than we were. We came back to 2-1 and it looked more like we could level, but they scored the third goal.

on the right outcome...
I thought overall Olympiacos deserved to win the game but, unfortunately for them, it’s not enough because they will not qualify for the Champions League. Marseille made a super result which puts Olympiacos out of the competition.

They missed the first game at home against Marseille and it’s very difficult to get that back. Olympiacos deserved a better place. They paid a heavy price for not starting the championship before their first game.

on injuries to Lukasz Fabianski and Andre Santos...
Fabianski felt a deep cut on the knee and Santos suffered a bad ankle injury. He looks like he will be out for a while. We have Gibbs coming back in two to three weeks. Hopefully Santos will not be too long but, for Saturday against Everton, he looks to be short. We have as well Vermaelen who can play in his position.

on the performance...
I am annoyed because we lost the game. It’s difficult to single out (individuals) – I feel offensively and defensively we were not convincing tonight. We lost many challenges.

You could feel there was more at stake for Olympiacos than us. I think that made us insecure defensively. We lost many balls in position where we are not used to.

on the next stage of the competition...
Most of the teams I don’t like to play are top of their group, so that’s not bad because we can only play a second team. I wouldn’t like to say I don’t want to play this team, so we would be in an inferior position. So it’s better to wait for the draw. Now it becomes a cup game and you could see tonight that Olympiacos played it like a cup game.

on the experience...
It’s a fantastic experience (for the young players). They’ll realise what kind of intensity you need at that level. I still think, in patches, some young players have shown good things but, as a team, we missed a bit of maturity to keep the ball when we were under pressure.

Source: Arsenal.com on 6 Dec 11

6 December 2011: Olympiacos 3-1 Arsenal, Karaiskakis Stadium

Arsenal surrendered their unbeaten record in Champions League Group F after losing 3-1 at Olympiacos on Tuesday night.

Arsène Wenger’s side came into this game having already secured both qualification and top spot on Matchday Five. Wenger's reshuffled team would suffer this evening as the Greek champions stormed to victory. It was no way to celebrate the Frenchman's 200th game in European competition.

The visitors went behind on the quarter-hour when Rafik Djebbour capitalised on a defensive mix-up, then shortly afterwards Lukasz Fabianski was stretchered off following a collision.

Olympiacos doubled their lead in the 36th minute when David Fuster returned a headed clearance from substitute keeper Vito Mannone into the net.

The home side were on top and pumped up. They would threaten more goals - though Yossi Benayoun’s superb volley on the hour did sap some of their intent.

With qualification riding on a victory, Olympiacos had to push for a third. It was a desperate pursuit at times but they secured the win in the dying minutes when Francois Modesto prodded home.

A late salvo from Marseille at Dortmund meant the hosts ultimately missed out on the last 16. Desperately disappointing for them.

Arsenal have the luxury of being able to move on to that stage now.

And thankfully, when they restart the Champions League in February, this result will be long forgotten.

Even before the weekend win over Wigan, Wenger had promised he would field a Carling Cup side with a strong backline for the final game of Group F.

That is precisely what he did.

Only defenders Thomas Vermaelen and Andre Santos retained their places. Another eight of the players on show had played in the defeat to Manchester City last week. But, unlike that Carling Cup tie, Wenger reverted to 4-3-3 with a lone, central frontman. So as a result, Ju Young Park was on the bench.

Perhaps the manager had tried to learn the lessons of Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat two seasons ago when he fielded the youngest side in Champions League. Perhaps he just wanted to retain his side’s recent momentum. Either way, it seemed the Wenger was not prepared to end an ultimately successful Group F campaign with a whimper.

But this evening did not go to plan.

The Olympiacos supporters are some of the most vociferous in European football and, in the first half, they willed their team into a winning position.

The football was played at a pace dictated by the home side. It was urgent, perhaps even rushed. But what the game lacked in finesse it would supplement with intensity.

The first quarter of an hour was even-handed.

With less than a minute gone, Kevin Mirallas escaped down the right and Modesto could not convert his low cross.

Then Andrey Arshavin exchanged passes with Chamakh for the Russian to scuttle through and blast a shut against the legs of keeper Balazs Megyeri.

Mirallas popped up on the other flank to flash a ball across the face of goal. But Santos soon reciprocated that effort with Chamakh just out of reach. The Moroccan then set up Emmanuel Frimpong to rifle a rising drive into the side-netting.

As the first quarter passed, it seemed that Arsenal seen off the early assault and could kick-on.

Then they went behind.

There was a touch of fortune about the goal. Sebastien Squillaci and Johan Djourou got in a tangle as they both went for Fuster’s through ball. It hit the legs of the Frenchman and then the Swiss before falling kindly for Djebbour, who rounded Fabianski to slot home.

The goal was injection of adrenaline for Olympiacos and their supporters – not that they needed one.

The latter roared the former forward for a second goal. Fabianski’s sliced clearance fell to Mirallas, whose chip drifted just past the post with the keeper furiously backtracking.

Within minutes, the Polish international would be stretchered off after a collision with Djebbour as the striker tried to convert another low cross from Mirallas. Mannone came on for his first Arsenal appearance since October 2009.

The visitors might have got on level terms when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s chip to the back post saw Benayoun volley wide. But, after the goal and the injury, Arsenal were still in the recovery position.

And they would receive another major blow in the 36th minute.

Mannone came out of his area to nod the ball clear. It fell to Fuster, who tried his luck from 30 yards out. The Italian could have gathered the ball as he now retreated to his area but, in the melee, he had not realised his position. The keeper went for the waist-high ball with his feet and miscued. It bounced meekly into the unguarded net.

It was all going wrong for Arsenal. The fast, uncompromising approach of Olympiacos had knocked them off their stride – literally at times.

But the home side had shown energy, ingenuity and desire too with the movement of Mirallas and Djebbour a constant problem. Three minutes from the break, the former crossed for the latter to head into the side-netting.

Arsenal went into the break thankful they were trailing by just the two goals.

It got no better after the restart. Within two minutes, Mannone saved low from Modesto then Olof Mellberg headed the resulting corner off the bar.

Before six minutes had elapsed, Santos hobbled off and Ignasi Miquel came on at left back.

Mirallas hit the side-netting and Modesto saw a shot deflected wide as Olympiacos threatened a third.

However, just before the hour, Arsenal would grab a goal. Miquel's cross was chested down by Chamakh and Benayoun arrowed an effort across the keeper and into the far corner.

Modesto captalised on hesitancy between Squillaci and Mannone to nod just wide shortly afterward. But the goal had taken the edge of Olympiacos.

For the first time, they were tentative.

Arsenal sensed a chance and started to explore their way forward. In the 74th minute they nearly equalised when Benayoun shovelled a pass into the path of the substitute Tomas Rosicky. His confident touch was plucked out of the air by Megyeri.

Despite their nerves, Olympiacos would recover. Djebbour nearly charged down a Mannone clearance seconds later and then Mirallas fired into the side-netting once more. Seven minutes from time they had claims for a penalty when Djebbour tried to convert during a goalmouth melee and the ball hit the hand of Vermaelen.

In the 89th minute, the home side got a killer third when a Mirallas free-kick was headed against the post by Mellberg and Modesto stabbed home the rebound from close range.

They celebrated as if they had qualified. In the end, they had not.

This was a disappointing night for both sides but, luckily, Arsenal can now look forward to the Knockout Stages.

Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 6 Dec 11

Nervy Gunners hold on

Arsenal's slow revival continued as they laboured to a nervy 2-1 Champions League win over Olympiacos at Emirates Stadium.

With manager Arsene Wenger watching from the stands as he served the final game of his European touchline ban, the Gunners - who started with captain Robin van Persie on the bench - had raced into a 2-0 lead with a fine strike from youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Brazil defender Andre Santos' first goal for his new club.

However, in what has become a trademark of a disappointing start to the season, Arsenal looked anything but convincing at the back, with David Fuster powering in an unmarked header before the break.

The Gunners, who head to arch-rivals Tottenham on Sunday, were happy to sit back on their lead - but were almost caught out when Olympiacos captain Vassilis Torosidis crashed a curling 25-yard effort against the crossbar.

In the end, though, Arsenal did just enough to secure their second victory of the week and restored some much-needed confidence ahead of what is sure to be a testing trip to White Hart Lane.

After a positive start by the Greeks, who had lost all of their nine previous European ties in England, with Fuster sidefooting wide, Arsenal went ahead in the eighth minute.

Alex Song, dropped back into central defence because of mounting injury problems, chipped the ball up to the edge of the Olympiacos area, where Oxlade-Chamberlain was onto it like a flash, before making the most of a ricochet off Ivan Marcano to cut inside and then drive a low shot into the bottom right corner.

Arsenal, though, were fortunate not to concede a quick equaliser when Mikel Arteta had to clear Rafik Djebbour's close-range effort off the line.

The Gunners looked to have given themselves some breathing space when Andre Santos doubled their lead on 20 minutes.

The Brazil full-back, signed ahead of the deadline from Fenerbache, burst down the left before crossing to Marouane Chamakh.

Jose Holebas made a saving tackle in the six-yard box, but the loose ball fell back to Santos, who turned Marcano before rolling his shot inside the near post.

It should have been cruise control from then on in for Wenger's men, but this season, nothing is that simple.

Arsenal failed to defend a short corner, and Ariel Ibagaza pumped the ball back into the penalty area, where Fuster arrived unmarked to plant a header past the stranded Wojciech Szczesny.

Olympiacos - who had only scored once on English soil before tonight, conceding 29 - were soon pressing again as Djebbour found room down the right channel before driving in an angled shot which Szczesny tipped over.

Tomas Rosicky, captain for the night with van Persie on the bench, then tripped Kevin Mirallas just a yard outside the penalty area, and received a yellow card for his thoughtless challenge.

The visitors continued to be positive after the restart, with Mirallas drilling wide from 22 yards.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, playing in England's third tier with Southampton last season, continued to look Arsenal's main threat, as he scampered away down the right and forced Olympiacos goalkeeper Franco Costanzo off his line to make a near-post block.

Arsenal were living dangerously, though, and the Greeks came within inches of drawing level on the hour when Torosidis cut inside to curl a brilliant 25-yard effort over Szczesny, which rattled the crossbar.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was substituted by assistant manager Pat Rice, who was calling the shots in the dugout, and left to a standing ovation on 67 minutes, Wales captain Aaron Ramsey his replacement.

Andrey Arshavin was released down the left and charged into the Olympiacos penalty area, before turning former Villa defender Olof Mellberg and bringing a save out of Costanzo.

With 20 minutes left, van Persie replaced Chamakh as the home side looked for a third to kill off the tie.

After being played at such a frantic pace, it was no surprise to see the tempo drop in the closing stages.

Rice looked to protect Arsenal's lead when he sent on England full-back Kieran Gibbs to replace Arshavin for the final seven minutes.

Despite defending deep, the Gunners were never really threatened and made it four points from their opening two Group F games.

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 28 Sep 11

Arsenal thank André Santos for Champions League win v Olympiakos

Arsène Wenger will take what he can get at present. This narrow victory over arguably the poorest team in Arsenal's Champions League group sufficed to keep the wolves from the door for another day, although it did little to portray the club as credible contenders.

There was anxiety until the final whistle, as Arsenal made light of a position of early strength to put their supporters through the wringer. Match tickets here ought to come with beta blockers and, on this evidence, there will surely be apprehension ahead of the derby at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Wenger's makeshift defence, which had the midfielder Alex Song pressed into its heart, failed to convince and Olympiakos were left to wonder what might have been had they taken some of their chances. On more than one occasion, they were left to ponder how Wojciech Szczesny's net had not swelled.

Arsenal, though, played up the positives, which included the goals for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and André Santos, together with the form of Szczesny, but, chiefly, took in the primacy of the result. This was a third consecutive victory, following those over Shrewsbury Town in the Carling Cup and Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League. Wenger has always said that confidence evaporates quickly and must be rebuilt slowly. It feels painstaking at the moment.

The manager suffered in the stands, as he served the final match of his touchline ban but he and his players took plenty of solace from a glance at the Group F table, with daylight having emerged between themselves in second and Borussia Dortmund in third. The ties against the leaders, Marseille, now loom large.

Olympiakos had arrived with such a dismal record on their travels in England that it was worth printing: P9 L9 GF1 GA29. They played well, with pace on the counter and in wide areas, but this Arsenal team have the ability to make almost any opposition look threatening.

Pat Rice, Wenger's assistant, admitted Arsenal had lost their way in the first half but their wobbles ran deeper. David Fuster had blown a presentable early chance for the visitors and Rafik Djebbour had been denied by a goalline clearance by Mikel Arteta on 14 minutes, which earned the Spaniard the dubious delight of a smacker from Szczesny. Djebbour put the rebound into the side netting.

Arsenal had drawn first blood to hint at a calmer evening. Early goals in these nervous times feel priceless and it was a moment that Oxlade-Chamberlain, on his Champions League debut, will remember forever.

The 18-year-old took a flighted pass from Song and he skated in from the right, across the edge of the penalty area. His first touch had been assured and his determination bought him a break off the hapless Iván Marcano. When the shooting opportunity presented itself, he remained composed to cut a low left-footed effort through Olof Mellberg's legs and into the bottom corner.

Wenger, who used Robin van Persie and Aaron Ramsey only as late substitutes, was out of his seat again when Santos scored his first goal for the club. Rosicky released the Brazil left-back after neat interplay and he crossed for Marouane Chamakh, who could not get there. Never mind. When the ball came back to Santos, he got a break off Marcano and exposed the goalkeeper, Franco Costanzo, at the near post.

In times gone by, that would have been the end of the matter but there is a brittleness about Wenger's current crop. Fuster's goal was a shambles from an Arsenal point of view. They were caught cold by a short corner and when Ariel Ibagaza crossed, the midfielder got up in yards of space to thump his header home.

Chamakh had snatched at an excellent chance moments earlier, from Andrey Arshavin's chip, and Arsenal were second best for the remainder of the half, their defending marked by disorder and desperation. Szczesny needed to be sharp and Rosicky's hack at Kevin Mirallas on the edge of the area, which earned him a booking, summed up the anxiety.

Olympiakos's defending was hardly of the bolted door variety, either, and the neutral would have enjoyed the helter‑skelter entertainment. Oxlade-Chamberlain might have scored again when he ran on to a throughball from the otherwise frustrating Chamakh yet his touch deserted him and Costanzo blocked. Arshavin would also force the goalkeeper to save.

The game did become tighter as it wore on but nobody in Arsenal colours could relax, least of all Wenger. As the travelling supporters bounced as one, their team probed and the moment that might have placed another dent in Arsenal's season came in the 64th minute.

The right-back Vassilis Torosidis showed that he could centre with menace but his curling left‑footed shot from 25 yards almost got the Greek champions a result. With Szczesny beaten, the ball crashed against the crossbar. Arsenal edged home by the slenderest of margins.

Source: David Hytner, The Guardian on 28 Sep 11

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain starts to fulfil his potential for Arsenal

The striker the fans are calling the Ox in the box showed he may be ready for the big time ahead of schedule

When Arsène Wenger introduced Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as one of Arsenal's first meaningful forays in the latest transfer market, it was a reflection of a nervy summer that reaction among the faithful was not entirely positive. This, it must be said, was no reflection on the latest whiz-kid who sped up the M3 from Southampton to inject some young, English energy. It was a manifestation of the frustration that when experienced defenders were the order of the day, a teenaged winger showed up. It brought to mind Rafael Benítez's famous complaint when the Valencia board took no notice of his ideas for team strengthening: "I asked for a table, they brought me a lampshade."

Reconstructing Arsenal in this era of financial madness remains a complex business. But the early signs are that in Oxlade-Chamberlain the club have recruited a player whose promise means it was absolutely right to sign him, regardless of whether he was a table or a lampshade. Against Olympiakos, with a smart goal he served notice of worth, becoming the youngest English player – at 18 years and 44 days – to score for Arsenal in the Champions League. Not for nothing are the message boards referring to him as the "Ox in the box".

A normal career path for Oxlade-Chamberlain would have seen him start Carling Cup matches and enjoy bits and pieces of higher-profile games as a substitute. But these are not normal times. So overburdened is the treatment room at London Colney, the kid was granted a Champions League debut just a week after his scoring role in the Carling Cup against Shrewsbury.

It is one thing making your mark on opponents from England's fourth tier, another to take the initiative against the perennial Greek champions. With his first meaningful contribution, Oxlade-Chamberlain gave another demonstration not only of his skill but also his assuredness and willingness to showcase his worth.

With all young talents given opportunities early, the question always boils down to whether they have the personality to express themselves, or prefer to play safe and avoid mistakes. Oxlade-Chamberlain is showing the mettle to seize the day. "He's a very confident boy, a very strong boy," said Pat Rice, standing in for the suspended Wenger. "The Arsenal supporters are going to see a lot of this boy."

The game was in its opening phase when, with a clever run to drift in between Olympiakos's thin blue line, he gave himself a half-chance. Collecting Alex Song's pass, he surged across the face of goal. Ivan Marcano did not do enough to disturb his run, and the youngster measured his chance and drilled a shot through Olof Mellberg's legs and into the far corner. It was his weaker foot, too. His face was a picture, as if he couldn't quite believe he had scored on this stage, that only a few months ago he would have been watching admiringly on the television. Up in the director's box, Wenger was up on his feet, leading the applause.

When André Santos angled in a second, it ought to have made for a comfortable evening. But this being the Arsenal creation that can concede at any moment, Oxlade-Chamberlain found himself less involved as Olympiakos began to force the issue. Five minutes into the second half came another glimpse of goal but this time the teenager was not quite as a decisive, allowing the goalkeeper, Franco Costanzo, to block.

Comparisons with Walcott are easily made – both were highly coveted attacking graduates from the Southampton academy who signed for Arsenal. Oxlade-Chamberlain is a different build to Walcott. He is a couple of inches taller and considerably broader and has strength and control in his game, rather than relying on sheer pace. Walcott, watching on from the stands with his girlfriend, and knowing how much onus there is to produce even in youth, will have been impressed.

"He's very friendly with Theo, who gives him the benefit of his experience," noted Rice. "He's got a big challenge trying to get in front of Theo, who won't give in easy."

Oxlade-Chamberlain's nose for goal, despite his rawness at the top level, is a massive bonus for an Arsenal team who are over-reliant on Robin van Persie. The Dutchman was held back here, rested with half an eye on Sunday's more challenging trip to White Hart Lane. With Wenger's pack shuffled, there was a chance for some of the B-listers to make an impression. For the likes of Marouane Chamakh and Andrey Arshavin form remains elusive.

Oxlade-Chamberlain will not be rushed by Wenger, but it is reassuring for the manager to know he has a talent who is perhaps more ready for the big time than he anticipated. The boy had a debut to forget at Old Trafford. Now the future has begun in earnest.

Source: Amy Lawrence, The Guardian on 28 Sep 11

Anxious Arsenal's doubts persist

Anxiety is a difficult emotion to mask, and Arsenal cannot hide theirs. The uncertainty of a torrid start to the season, as a new team is foundered and an old formula is no longer as effective as it once was, means that the calm of consolidation would almost feel like victory in itself once 2011-12 is done. A clear sense of direction would help. It waits in abeyance.

Arsenal's aim this season, and every season, should Stan Kroenke care to publicly admit it, is the securing of a Champions League place. Beyond that, playing in this competition itself is a bonus, and factored as such in a financial sense too. Reaching the final (as in 2006) looks way beyond the current crop and when Arsene Wenger does take his leave, that balmy Paris evening will be remembered as the night that the club's French revolution began to lose its way and a slow decline began.

Five years on, Arsenal are fighting relegation from the competition that secures the status of a modern-day superclub. They cannot afford not to be in the Champions League. In that regard, a weekend derby with Tottenham Hotspur already has the look of a six-pointer, since Spurs are again capable of challenging for a fourth spot on which hopes already rest. Like any club facing an unthinkable and unpalatable demotion, what Arsenal need to rescue them is unity and belief. Yet such qualities are ebbing at the Emirates and while victory against Olympiakos continued a week of three wins in a row, doubt still casts a long shadow.

There had been an atmosphere of defiance. 'Getting behind the lads' can make football a participation sport, and a new Arsenal needs the fans to carry them over the lines. Yet those fans have about as much faith in their defence as the rest of the EU does in the Greek economy. Rage set in once David Fuster had risen unmarked to head Olympiakos back into the contest.

Goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Andre Santos, both scoring their first for Arsenal, had rendered visions of a bright future, yet Fuster's goal had pricked that bubble of optimism.

Arsene Wenger recently scoffed at talk of a defensive coach. Loyal assistant Pat Rice was once a full-back of distinction yet this Arsenal team do not offer the steadiness he once supplied. All four of Wenger's defensive selection can 'play' yet none of them seem cut out for the type of dirty work that security requires. Rice, standing in for Wenger post-match, was critical of a goal that looked all too familiar. "From a defender's point of view it was really poor," he admitted.

As Manchester United proved the previous evening, an unfamiliar back four is rarely a solid one, and a shaky Bacary Sagna found himself as the senior partner alongside two new boys and converted midfielder Alex Song. Meanwhile, Santos looks like the converted winger he is. His goal, scored off his right foot, was an exercise in adventure, but his defending is too often statuesque. When Vasilis Torosidis rattled the crossbar from distance on the hour, he was offered the freedom of Hornsey in which to take aim from the Gunners' left flank.
And for all his excellence as a shot-stopper Wojciech Szczesny is yet to gain the command of a defence that a more experienced goalkeeper might offer. To give him his due, he is yet to play with an Arsenal defensive organiser with the charisma of leadership. Indeed, Arsenal have not possessed that since Sol Campbell's half-time flit at Upton Park in February 2006; a series of budget-priced defenders have arrived, failed and fled.

The likes of William Gallas, Mikael Silvestre and Sebastien Squillaci have been the experienced hands brought in, yet none added authority. Per Mertesacker must be given more time for a full assessment, yet has arrived at a time of flux and may yet be a victim of circumstance. The signs here were that he possesses poise and is better suited to a European occasion than his recent torrid lunchtime at Ewood Park.

"We lost our way but came back into it. We had to knuckle in, to get our shape right," said Rice and it was true that the visitors were eventually reduced to pot shots where once they had been offered a clear sight of goal. Here, Mertesacker grew into the game and showed that he could take responsibility.

It was with Saturday in mind that current on-field leader Robin van Persie was rested until the 71st minute and he entered the fray to a rousing reception, with the fans keen to show their love for a player already linked with the type of painful departure they have endured from the likes of Henry, Flamini, Hleb, Cesc and Nasri. Plaintive proclamations of love alone will not keep him at the club. Ambition, both in playing and pecuniary terms, will need to be matched.

Currently, he is surrounded by too many team-mates of either unreached potential or diminishing returns. While both Oxlade-Chamberlain and Santos were scoring, Marouane Chamakh, himself in only his second season at the club, cannot relive the first flush of being a Gunner. A misdirected header and a shanked shot when through on Olympiakos keeper Costanzo were efforts that a striker of confidence would snaffle.

Andrei Arshavin and Tomas Rosicky are two players who often boil the blood of the more vociferous Gunners fan. Both were once known for devastating attacking. Nowadays, however, Arshavin invites exasperation whenever play breaks down with him on the scene while Rosicky's explosive shooting looks a thing of the past as he plods in deep midfield. Neither look capable of leading through a new Arsenal that may yet be embodied by the young Oxlade-Chamberlain.

A calm and early finish of the type that Chamakh would probably kill for, and some powerful runs down the right flank, were signs that Theo Walcott now faces a rivalry for his place. "He's very friendly with Theo and Theo can offer him experience," said Rice of old man Walcott, 22. For both to flourish at a resurgent Arsenal, fans, team-mates and ultimately manager and owner in tandem must quell the anxiety that still grips their club.

ARSENAL VERDICT
Getting the job done is the best that can be hoped for at present. They did so here with plenty of anxiety thrown in. The promise of the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain was not supported by more experienced colleagues though Mikel Arteta looks a fine addition. Marseille's heavy defeat of Borussia Dortmund will serve as a warning of a tougher test ahead.

OLYMPIAKOS VERDICT
Similar to Arsenal in that, defensively, they were suspect while further up the field they created much, they paid for two defensive lapses. Without those, they would not have had to chase this game, and eventually they were held at arm's length once Arsenal recovered their shape.

FATHER OF FOOTBALL
Brian Glanville, the veteran football reporter whose tomes on the World Cup are set texts for the aspiring gentlemen of the press, was presented with a commemorative 'Glanville 80' shirt before the game in the press room to mark a landmark birthday. All those worth their salt - and your scribe - will have read his work in their childhood. A veteran of Arsenal matches since 1940, he is not giving up on this game just yet.

Source: John Brewin, ESPN Soccernet on 28 Sep 11

Pat Rice's reaction to the Arsenal 2-1 Olympiacos match

on the performance…
I think in the first 20-25 minutes we were really in it well. After that for about 15-20 minutes we maybe lost our way and they came back into it. Second half we had to knuckle down, fight and get our shape right which I thought we did better in the second half.

on Arsenal's goals…
It is unfortunate we didn't get the third but we also had opportunities on breakaways in the second half. They came, they waited for us, they broke us up in the middle of the park and in fairness they did well. You can't turn around and say we had all of the game because that would be unfair.

Needless to say I think we will be very, very happy with the three points.

on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain…
He can go inside, he can go outside, he's got that injection of pace and I think what he needs now is to be consistent in his play. I am sure that is something he will be working on because he's certainly not a stupid boy. He has good people around him and they are telling him all the right things.

He is a very confident boy, a strong boy and he listens to what people tell him. I think he makes his own mind up because when you are a professional footballer loads of different coaches tell you lots of different things. What you have to do is pick out the best things that are applicable to you. That is something Alex will no doubt actually do. He is very friendly with Theo and no doubt he will give him the benefit of his experience as well.

From Arsenal supporters' point of view, they are going to be seeing a lot of this boy. Whenever he breaks in permanently he has a big, big challenge to now get in front of Theo. I know that Theo is a very strong-willed guy as well and he won't give in easy. It all bodes well for England anyway.

on a nervous night for himself…
I said before we played Dortmund that it is not the kind of evening I particularly want. It's never actually been an ambition in my career to be a manager. I'm quite happy being a coach. But when decisions go against the manager, which in my personal opinion wasn't right, we have just got to get on with it.

on defensive performance…
I thought that in general they battled very hard. I think that as we went into the second half we were tighter in the second half than we were in the last 20 minutes of the first half. People can have the ball right and left but it wasn't really causing us too many problems. They have actually got a lot of the ball but in actual terms of what Szczesny has had to save I don't think there was all that many chances.

on the goal conceded…
It was soft, yes. From a defender's point of view it was really poor.

on Robin's omission…
Robin's been playing a lot of games lately and it was just a question of Chamakh needing games. We just thought that we would give him a go. You can't say that Marouane didn't try. If he had a little bit more luck he perhaps might have scored a third goal. But you cannot fault him for his work ethic.

on Olympiacos' performance…
I thought Olympiacos played very, very well and whenever we go over there to play, one would like to think we would have qualified.

on whether Oxlade-Chamberlain & Walcott could play together...
What you have to do is see whether the two of them can compliment each other - that is something I don't know, the manager does not know and the England manager does not know either because we have not seen them together.

You can think as much as you like, but until it actually happens you are only formulating an opinion of your own. All good players can play together.

on Tottenham...
That is a completely different ball game at Tottenham The most important thing for us was to win, because it takes us closer to qualifying. We will think more about the Tottenham game when we all get together again on Friday. I am losing track of time - when you get older, that is what happens to you!

Source: Arsenal.com on 28 Sep 11

28 September 2011: Arsenal 2-1 Olympiacos, The Emirates

Arsenal secured their first win in Champions League Group F with a tense 2-1 victory over Olympiacos at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fired home the first in the eighth minute - a goal that made him the Club’s youngest-ever English scorer in the competition. Andre Santos added a second midway through the half.

It was a platform upon which Arsenal might have built. But Olympiacos were never granted planning permission this evening.

The Greek champions were impish and inventive throughout. A clever corner routine saw David Fuster power home a header just before the half-hour and they would worry their hosts for the remainder of the game. They came closest to equalising midway through the second half when Vassilis Torossidis curled a wonderful effort against the bar.

Straight after that let-off, Pat Rice brought on the big guns who had been rested at kick-off. Arsène Wenger, who was seeing out his touchline ban, might have shifted uneasily in his Directors’ Box seat in the final stages but his team got the job done. As Basle proved the previous evening at Manchester United, no-one at this level should be underestimated.

Marseille's win against Dortmund mean they top the Group with six points but Arsenal are tucked in just behind with four.

Wenger’s men take on the French side in their next two ties.

That 180 minutes will have a profound effect on the outcome of Group F.

Before kick-off, Wenger rotated by half-a-turn. Key players were benched - Aaron Ramsey, Kieran Gibbs and, most notably, Robin van Persie. Andre Santos, Marouane Chamakh and Oxlade-Chamberlain came in.

The manager may have had Sunday’s north London derby in mind – although in his final pre-match interview the Frenchman said playing Van Persie might have risked injury.

Laurent Koscielny was already out so Alex Song deputised at centre back alongside Per Mertesacker. Emmanuel Frimpong filled the sizeable hole left by the Cameroonian in front of the back four.

This game had been declared a sell-out earlier on Tuesday and, after the 3-0 win over Bolton at the weekend, a straightforward victory this evening would help build confidence still further ahead of Sunday’s big game.

And it would take Arsenal only eight minutes to break the deadlock.

Song’s diagonal ball was collected by Oxlade-Chamberlain on the right. He took it in his stride, received a stroke of luck when his miscue bounced back into his path off Ivan Marcano but the rest was class.

The 18-year-old raced through, threaded his shot between the legs of Olof Mellberg and into the net off the base of the post. Oxlade-Chamberlain raced off in a carefree celebration that suggested he had somewhat surprised himself with the strike.

No-one who had seen the early stages of this player’s promising Arsenal career would have raised an eyebrow.

After the goal, Mikel Arteta took centre stage for a while. He supplied the corner from which Chamakh thundered a header just wide.

The deadline day signing then threw himself towards the near post to block Rafik Djebbour’s shot following a corner by Ariel Ibagaza.

It had been a reasonable response by the Athens side but they would be stung again in the 20th minute.

Tomas Rosicky sent Andre Santos marauding down the left. His initial cross towards Chamakh was returned to him. The Brazilian cut inside his marker and sneaked a shot inside the near post.

Chamakh might have put clear daylight between the two sides after Arshavin’s chip sent him clear but he shanked his shot wide.

However, just before the half-hour, Olympiacos got the goal they probably deserved. A short corner routine ended with Ibagaza’s pinpoint delivery for the onrushing Fuster, who planted a header into the corner.

In the minutes that followed, the visitors threatened parity. Szczesny tipped over from Djebbour and blocked low at his near post from a Torossidis drive.

Arsenal regained their composure somewhat as half time approached but there remained a nervousness about their game. Olympiacos had been caught out twice but there was an attractive optimism about their offensive game and they were inventive from set-pieces.

Seven minutes from the break, Kevin Mirallas weaved his way down the left-hand channel but his powerful shot bounced off the legs of Sczcesny at the near post.

At the break, Arsenal had the lead but they did not have control of the game.

The points were very much in the balance.

Olympiacos might have stolen an equaliser in the opening minutes of the second half. Ibagaza squared a right-wing free-kick to Fuster five yards outside the area. Despite the attentions of Frimpong and a narrow space for a short backlift, the Belgian crashed a shot just wide.

In reply, Chamakh, who was having one of his most effective games in 2011, played an intelligent ball inside Jose Holebas for Oxlade-Chamberlain to collect.

This time the winger had time to steady himself but his shot could not beat Franco Costanzo.

The game was now end-to-end. The second half had been similar at Dortmund on Matchday One when, again, Arsenal had been defending a one-goal lead.

It seems that Wenger’s side are intent on doing things the hard way in Europe this season.

Just as the early storm began to blow itself out, Olympiacos conjured up a marvelous effort from virtually nothing. Torossidis weaved inside Santos and unleashed a swerving, dipping effort that beat the outstretched hand of Szczesny before battering the bar.

The chance prompted changes. Ramsey replaced Oxlade-Chamberlain and the Welshman immediately prodded Arshavin clear on the breakaway. His shot was half-blocked by Costanzo – but it was enough.

Van Persie replaced Chamakh shortly afterwards as Arsenal tried to end strongly.

The Greek side were now pushing for a point but Frimpong was muscular in midfield and Mertesacker commanding at centre back.

We expected a final push from the visitors – but it never really came.

Arsenal held on and placed another firm footstep on the road to recovery.

Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 28 Sep 11