Arsenal 2 Olympiacos 0FOR SO long here at Emirates Stadium, it appeared that George Clooney would come between Arsenal and three Champions League points. For the Hollywood actor, read his doppelganger Antonis Nikopolidis, the 38-year-old Olympiacos goalkeeper, who proved to be a heroic last line of defence.
But just as Arsenal looked set for frustration, after failing to convert possession and chances into the hard currency of goals, up popped Robin van Persie to sweep home from close range and ensure that his team’s progress in Europe’s elite competition would continue unchecked.
Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, had begun to shuffle his pack and it was one of his substitutes, Eduardo da Silva, who fashioned the breakthrough. Taking a pass from Cesc Fabregas, the Croatia striker cut back the perfect centre for Van Persie to score from point blank range.
The Emirates could exhale. Arsenal were full value for the victory and the gloss to the scoreline was provided by Andrey Arshavin, the outstanding performer on view. Although he was at least a yard offside when Fabregas drove across from the right, his impish flicked finish was of the highest order. The Russian had earned his good fortune.
Wenger celebrates his 13th anniversary with Arsenal tomorrow and how he would love to end the four-year trophy drought with the Champions League, the one trophy that is missing from his CV.
Olympiacos arrived with an awful away record in European competition. The Greek champions of the past five seasons had lost on each of their previous eight trips to England, with one goal in their favour and 27 against them. They had won only two of their 35 away matches in the Champions League proper.
Arsenal pulled them apart in the first-half with razor sharp interchanges and Arshavin was at the heart of their most eye-catching moments. He is the epitome of the creative Wenger player, with quick feet and even quicker brain.
He drew purrs of appreciation from the home crowd, particularly when, with his low centre of gravity, he repeatedly turned away from those in black shirts. He forced the overworked Nikopolidis into two sharp saves in the first-half and, together with Van Persie, was involved in the moves that led to further chances for Fabregas.
On the first occasion, the captain’s fierce drive from 18 yards rattled the crossbar and, on the second, he shot too close to the goalkeeper. Arsenal were also left to rue Abou Diaby’s failure to convert Van Persie’s corner, after he rose unchallenged.
It was all Olympiacos could do to escape their own half in the first 45 minutes. Their one chance came in splendid isolation, Vassilis Torosidis getting in behind Gael Clichy to thump a header at Vito Mannone’s midriff.
Wenger had brought Tomas Rosicky into the starting line-up to replace Nicklas Bendtner, who was recovering from driving his car into a tree. Rosicky remains rusty after his lengthy injury lay-off but he showed flashes of skill. It was from his promptings that Emmanuel Eboue, who was preferred to Bacary Sagna, played in Van Persie for a shot that once again tested Nikopolidis.
By then however, almost implausibly, Arsenal could have been behind. From Dudu’s corner, former Aston Villa man Olof Mellberg rose with Thomas Vermaelen and smuggled a header goalwards which Mannone clawed to safety.
As cries of the home support betrayed increasing anxiety, Dudu appeared to handle inside the area but Arsenal’s penalty appeals came to nothing while Nikopolidis continued to stand tall. Ultimately, though, Van Persie and Arshavin broke through. It was hard on Nikopolidis but a draw would have been harder on Arsenal.
GuardianService
ARSENAL: Mannone, Eboue, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Song Billong, Rosicky (Eduardo 66), Fabregas, Diaby (Vela 78), Arshavin, van Persie (Ramsey 85). Subs not used: Szczesny, Sagna, Senderos, Gibbs. Booked: van Persie, Fabregas.
OLYMPIACOS: Nikopolidis, Zewlakow, Avraam Papadopoulos, Mellberg, Raul Bravo, Ledesma (Mitroglou 79), Torosidis, Dudu, Zairi (Stoltidis 46), Leonardo (Oscar 82), Diogo. Subs not used: Urko, Domi, Galitsios, Giannis Papadopoulos. Booked: Zewlakow, Dudu, Torosidis, Raul Bravo.
Referee: Stephane Lannoy (France).
