There's not a lot to really say about this one. I try to make it a point to catch Olympiakos when I can, even if it's a replay of an older match, just because I don't ever get to see the Greek teams. Coming into this home match against Arsenal, they needed to win and hope Marseille didn't win in Germany in order to advance.
The task was quite different for the Gunners. They had already assured themselves a place in the next round, so they left most of their first team back in England. This meant that their reserves were going to get a shot at the Greek champs. However, it was Olympiakos that did most of the shooting.
The match was characterized by all around poor play by Arsenal at the back. Indeed, I'd say most of their wounds were self inflicted. In the 16th minute Rafik Djebbour took advantage of an Arsenal give away, then calmly ran around Lukasz Fabianski and tapped the shot in far post to make it 1-0 to the Greeks. Just six minutes later, Fabianski headed the ball right to Kevin Mirrallas, but the Olympiakos MF missed the target wide. Fabianski was injured in the next sequence and Arsenal brought in their 3rd string 'keeper, Vito Mannone. He played like a 3rd string 'keeper and Olympiakos tacked on a 2nd in the 36th minute to make it 2-0 at the half.
The second half proceeded in a bit of a disjointed manner, but Arsenal did manage a goal. In the 57th Yossi Benayoun sent a volley into the back of the Olympiakos net to make it 2-1. However the Greeks sealed the deal in the 89th as Francois Modesto tapped in a rebound after a corner to make 3-1 at full time. Unfortunately, Marseille beat Dortmund very late, which knocked the Greeks out of the CL knockout stage.
For Arsenal, ugly match. They have a lot to do at the back for their youngsters. Certainly the Greek champs taught them a lesson they won't soon forget.
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