Arsenal vs Olympiacos LIVE: Result and reaction from Europa League fixture tonight
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Your support makes all the difference.Follow all the action as Arsenal host Olympiacos in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.
The Gunners boast a commanding 3-1 aggregate lead from the first leg, when Martin Odegaard gave his side the lead with a fierce long-range shot. A calamitous error gifted the Greek champions a second-half equaliser, however, Gabriel Magalhaes and Mohamed Elneny seized a firm advantage for Mikel Arteta’s side in the final 15 minutes. Arsenal are clear favourites to progress to the quarter-finals, but will still remember the scars of their dramatic exit at the hands of Olympiacos last season, when Youssef El-Arabi scored a last-gasp extra-time winner at the Emirates.
Arteta confirmed that a line has been drawn under Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s discipline breach, which saw the captain dropped for the club’s 2-1 north London derby victory against Tottenham. “We talked, everything has been resolved in a really positive way. So we move forward,” Arteta said. “Everybody has to obviously perform at the highest level to earn his place in the team and there is no exceptions there.” Follow all the action live below:
16’ - Arsenal 0-0 Olympiacos (3-1 agg)
Ceballos’ delivery from the set-piece is poor and Olympiacos easily clear. The Spaniard is playing a more advanced role this evening, so will need to be on his game to produce a creative outlet for the team. Arsenal largely enjoying spells of possession in these early stages.
12’ - Arsenal 0-0 Olympiacos (3-1 agg)
No scares at either end so far. Tierney tries to take on Ba on the outside and takes a hand to the face - free-kick to the Gunners out on the left side.
8’ - Arsenal 0-0 Olympiacos (3-1 agg)
Both players are fine to continue after treatment. Olympiacos trying to push forward early on, but the home side have defended well so far. The midfield line of five is sitting deep for the Gunners, stopping any easy access into the final third.
4’ - Arsenal 0-0 Olympiacos (3-1 agg)
Former Arsenal man Sokratis races out to block Smith Rowe’s shot and the ball rebounds into the midfielder’s face - they are both down and needing treatment. Sokratis appears to have taken a crack on the shin.
KICK-OFF!
Here we go - we’re underway. 3-1 to Arsenal from the first leg.
ALL SET TO GO
The players are on the pitch and we’re almost ready to go. Arteta offering some last-minute words of encouragement.
TEN MINS TO KO
Start time quickly closing in - surely there’s no way the Gunners slip-up from this point? An early goal would settle any nerves.
CURSED CLUB?
Of course, it’s worth noting Arsenal have been to several finals in European competition since they last won a trophy on the Continent: the 93/94 Cup Winners’ Cup.
Following that triumph, they reached the ‘95 final in the same competition, the 2000 UEFA Cup final, the ‘06 Champions League final and the aforementioned 2019 Europa League final - all ended in defeat.
EURO HISTORY
The Gunners have a very strong recent record, so getting to the quarters isn’t exactly ground-breaking - though it will be a step forward from last year.
In 19/20 they went out to Olympiacos in the round of 32 stage, so there’s an element of revenge too.
But two years ago Arsenal reached the final and were runners-up, while in 17/18 they were Europa League semi-finalists.
STAT ATTACK
Nicolas Pepe has played the most minutes in the Europa League for Arsenal this season. He starts again - can he force his way into the line-up domestically with a good showing here?
Pepe is also, along with Bukayo Saka, the player with most assists for the Gunners in Europe and the joint-top scorer in the competition for Mikel Arteta’s men.
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