Gunners have maintained its perfect start to the Champions League, scoring 3-1 over Olympiakos. Arsenal put themselves in pole position to reach the Champions League knockout rounds with a 3-1 home victory in Group B over Olympiakos at the Emirates on Wednesday. Goals either side of halftime from Gervinho and Lukas Podolksi sealed the Gunners' second successive win in the group with Aaron Ramsey scoring the third with the final move of the game. Gervinho's 42rd minute-opener was quickly canceled out as Kostas Mitroglou headed the Greek champions level before halftime, but Arsenal was back in control after the break to ensure it stayed top of Group B.
Arsenal, who have never lost to Greek opposition at home, started the second half in more lively fashion and Lukas Podolski fired what turned out to be the winner after 56 minutes, his shot piercing a crowd of players. 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.
"It probably affected our confidence a little bit getting [beaten] ... maybe there was a little bit of a carry-over," said Arsenal assistant coach Steve Bould, who spoke as manager Arsene Wenger served a touchline ban. "The second half was better, in the first half we were sloppy sometimes with the passing, we lost a lot of ball," Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen said. "We started well but the first half was not great." While Olympiakos is yet to earn a point at the bottom of Group B, Arsenal has a maximum six points after beating Montpellier 2-1 two weeks ago.
"It gives us more confidence to have two wins from two," Vermaelen said. "The most important thing is to win your home games. We want to keep it going." But the Gunners were hesitant in the first half in the wake of their first loss of the season on Saturday in the Premier League against Chelsea.
credits to: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/oct/03/arsenal-olympiakos-champions-league
Olympiacos (4-2-3-1): Megyeri; Diakité, Manolas, Contreras, Holebas; Siovas, Maniatis; Greco, Fuster, Machado; Mitroglou.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Mannone, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Arteta, Coquelin; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Podolski; Gervinho.
GOALS: 43' Gervinho (A), 45' Mitroglou (O), 56' Podolski (A), 90' Ramsey (A)
