Home
+
Published : 02 Oct 2025, 03:25 AM
Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli scored for the second successive Champions League match with his early close-range effort paving the way for a 2-0 home victory over Olympiacos on Wednesday.
When the Brazilian pounced to convert a rebound in the 12th minute to reward Arsenal's early domination it looked like being a routine night for the north London club.
But they were made to work hard for the win that puts them on six points from their opening two group games and needed a stoppage-time effort by substitute Bukayo Saka to seal it.
Olympiacos boasted an enviable record against Arsenal, winning on their last three visits to The Emirates Stadium, and the Greek side recovered from their early setback to make it an uncomfortable night at times for the hosts.
They were unable to reply though and have only one point from their first two group games.
Martinelli scored in Arsenal's opening win away at Athletic Bilbao and also grabbed a last-gasp equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Manchester City in the Premier League.
He again proved his knack of scoring important goals when he converted after Viktor Gyokeres's shot bounced back off the post.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made six changes to the side that started the dramatic win at Newcastle United at the weekend, with captain Martin Odegaard returning and Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Saka all on the bench.
The depth in quality of Arsenal's squad was quickly apparent though as the home began in silky fashion with Olympiacos chasing shadows in the early stages.
Martinelli wasted a glorious chance in the third minute, mistiming his header from a superb Myles Lewis-Skelly ball into the area. But he soon made amends.
It all looked too easy for Arteta's side at that stage but they were given a wake-up call when former Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Daniel Podence struck a first-time volley that drew a superb flying save from Arsenal keeper David Raya.
Arsenal remained dominant but Olympiacos, backed by a loud visiting contingent, grew in stature for the rest of the first half and began the second period in positive fashion.
They had the ball in the net when Ayoub El Kaabi's header was clawed out by Raya and Chiquinho touched in the loose ball but El Kaabi was deemed offside.
Arsenal's miserly defensive record at home in the Champions League now stands at 10 clean sheets from their last 12.
Their resilience was fully tested and it was a relief for the hosts when Saka was played in by Odegaard and his shot went through Olympiacos keeper Kostas Tzolakis.
