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Oct 3, 2012 at 7.45pm UK
 
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Live Commentary: Arsenal 3-1 Olympiakos - as it happened

:Headline: Live Commentary: Arsenal 3-1 Olympiakos - as it happened:
Sports Mole brings you live commentary of tonight's Champions League Group B clash between Arsenal and Olympiakos at the Emirates Stadium.
Sports Mole

Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of tonight's Champions League Group B clash between Arsenal and Olympiakos at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners began their European campaign with a 2-1 win over Montpellier earlier this month, while Olympiakos lost at home to Schalke in their opening match of the group.

Arsenal have begun their Premier League season in impressive fashion, but in Olympiakos they face a side that has won all four matches in their domestic league thus far.

The two sides have clashed in the Champions League group stages twice before, with both clubs winning their respective home fixtures on each occasion.

Please note that kickoff is at 7.45pm.


9.40pmSo there we have it. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for the Europa League football tomorrow. Until then!

9.38pmSo there we have it. Arsenal make it six points from two Champions League matches with a 3-1 win over Greek outfit Olympiakos. It was far from comfortable, but they got the job done.

FULL-TIMEArsenal 3-1 Olympiakos

90 min+3Arsenal have their third as Ramsey pounces on a through ball to finish from close range.

90 min+3GOAL! Arsenal 3-1 Olympiakos (Ramsey)

90 min+2This one appears to be over as Arsenal keep hold of possession in their own half. They have done a bit of a job on Olympiacos in this second period.

90 minMeanwhile, we will play an additional three minutes at the end of 90.

88 minNothing much in terms of chances in the past few moments. Arsenal are keeping possession, just as they would want. They look to have got away with one this evening.

86 minBoth sides are just exchanging spells of possession at the moment as we approach the final moments. Is there another chance left? Still some football to be played at the Emirates.

84 minChance! So nearly a third for Arsenal as Walcott finds Giroud in the box, but his effort is straight at Megyeri. Danger at both ends.

84 minRight, we are just approaching the final five minutes of normal time at the Emirates. Olympiakos continue to threaten on the break, but they just cannot find a final ball.

82 minThe away side also make a change as Pantelic replacea Machado. They are really going for it now.

80 minMeanwhile, double change for Arsenal as Gervinho and Podolski are replaced by Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud.

78 minIt remains end-to-end stuff as we approach the final 10 minutes of action. You just get the feeling that there is a big chance left in this match.

76 minSuddenly Arsenal burst into life once more as Gervinho finds Vermaelen in the box, but Megyeri just makes the save. Both sides are threatening at the moment.

74 minAnother change for the away side as Diakite is replaced by Ariel Ibagaza. Can the Argentine boost his side in the remaining 15 minutes?

72 minHalf-chance from the away side as Fuster strikes it from outside the box, but Mannone gathers the danger. Meanwhile, change for Arsenal as Theo Walcott replaces Oxlade-Chamberlain.

70 minArsenal are just starting to drop deeper and deeper at the moment. They will be made to regret it if they are not careful. There is a couple of chances left in this one.

68 minChange for the away side as Greco is replaced by Djamel Abdoun. Little over 20 minutes remaining at the Emirates.

66 minOlympiakos continue to threaten with a series of corners, but this time Arsenal stand strong in defence. End-to-end stuff at the moment. Much better second period.

64 minArsenal have a penalty appeal turned down inside the box as Oxlade-Chamberlain hits the deck. Meanwhile, just an update from the Manchester City match. Borussia Dortmund have taken a 1-0 lead at the Etihad Stadium.

62 minArsenal have just dropped their tempo once more following the second goal. They need to be very careful here because Olympiakos certainly have goals in them.

60 minOlympiakos remain a threat on the counter with Mitroglou causing all sorts of problems with his pace and power. For me, the next goal decides this match.

58 minSuddenly it's all Arsenal as Gervinho attempts to find Podolski inside the box, but the striker is just offside. All one-way traffic at the moment.

57 minArsenal had just raised it in the past few moments, but you have to ask some questions about the goalkeeper there. He should not have been beaten.

56 minArsenal move back into the lead as Podolski strikes a powerful effort home from close range.

56 minGOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Olympiakos (Podolski)

54 minArsenal spring into life on the break as Gervinho dances past two challenges, but Olympiakos are just so compact in defence at the moment.

52 minIt's the away side's supporters that are making the noise at the moment early in this second period. But Arsenal have just started to raise it slightly.

50 minChance! Wonderful chance for the home side as Gervinho finds Cazorla in the box, but he can only fire wide of the target from close range.

50 minThe match has just settled into the same sort of pattern in which it started. Arsenal enjoying possession of the ball and Olympiakos playing on the break.

48 minMeanwhile, Coquelin takes a bit of a wack to the face in a challenge with Mitroglou. He's a bit of a unit the Greek striker.

48 minDecent link-up from Arsenal at the start of the second period as Podolski finds Gibbs down the left, but the England defender has a fresh air shot as the ball goes out for a goal kick.

46 minHere we go then. No changes for either team at the break as Arsenal kick us off. What will the second 45 minutes bring?

8.45pmRight, we are a few moments away from the second period. Will the Gunners improve or can Olympiakos secure an unlikely victory?

8.42pmArsenal have had 70% of the possession, but they have managed just three shots to Olympiakos' seven. It has been an impressive 45 minutes from the Greek outfit.

8.39pmTruth be told it has not been a great match. Arsenal started with so much purpose, but the opening 45 minutes will not go down as a classic. Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half.

8.36pmIt was Arsenal that started the match the better, but Olympiakos grew into the half as it developed. The Gunners took the lead just before the break when Gervinho found the bottom corner, but Mitroglou levelled it before the break.

8.33pmSo there we have it. The two sides enter the break level following two goals in the remaining three minutes of the half.

HALF-TIMEArsenal 1-1 Olympiakos

45 minThe Greek side are back on terms as Mitroglou produces a powerful header from inside the box.

45 minGOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Olympiakos (Mitroglou)

45 minChance! More sloppy play from Arsenal as Vermaelen presents the ball straight to Mitroglou, but the striker can only fire straight at Mannone.

43 minI am not sure if they deserve it, but Arsenal do take the lead just before the break. It is such a vital goal in the context of this match.

42 minArsenal take the lead against the run of play as Gervinho finds the bottom corner from outside the box.

42 minGOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Olympiakos (Gervinho)

40 minHalf-chance for the away side as Machado strikes a free kick from outside the box, but Mannone was always comfortable in gathering the danger. Arsenal are just not in this at the moment.

38 minMake no mistake about it, Olympiakos are well in this match now. Arsenal have had plenty of the ball but they have just not created any chances.

36 minChance! Oh my word! Best chance of the half for Olympiakos as Fuster finds Maniatis in the box, but he clips over from close range. How on earth did he miss?

34 minOlympiakos are pushing bodies forward when they have possession of the ball, but that is leaving gaps in midfield. It has just opened up in the last few moments.

32 minThe fact that we have had just one shot on target in this match - from Arsenal - tells you everything you need to know about the half thus far.

30 minChance! Best chance of the night for Olympiakos as Machado strikes an effort from outside the box, but Mannone just gets down low to make the save. Warning signs.

28 minPenalty appeal from the home side as Manolas and Gervinho clash in the box, but it would have been a really harsh one. Meanwhile, Oxlade-Chamberlain cannot make proper connection with a header in the box.

26 minBetter from the home side as they pin Olympiakos in their own half, but they just cannot seem to get Podolski on the ball at the moment. I don't actually know if he has touched the ball.

24 minReally sloppy from Arsenal as they twice give possession away in their own half, but Olympiakos cannot make the most of the ball. It's a bit of a nothing match at the moment.

22 minBrightest moment of the match from Cazorla as he picks up possession in midfield before dancing past the challenges of what seemed like 10 players. He is really special player.

20 minSuddenly Arsenal threaten as Oxlade-Chamberlain pokes the ball towards Gervinho, but the striker just cannot gather and the danger is cleared.

18 minMuch more of an even contest at the moment with Olympiakos appearing to have settled after a difficult opening. Meanwhile, there is not the greatest of atmospheres inside the Emirates.

16 minDecent spell of possession from Olympiakos with Greco and Fuster involved in midfield, but Machado's cross is cleared by Vermaelen. Meanwhile, Maniatis looks in a bit of trouble here as he hits the deck.

14 minNothing much from the away side in terms of attacking intent at the moment. It's Arsenal who continue to dictate possession with short snappy passing.

12 minChance! So nearly the opener for Arsenal as Cazorla whips a dangerous free kick towards the top corner, but Megyeri pushes the ball to safety.

12 minDecent pressure from the home side as they force a couple of corners, but Olympiakos resist the danger. Cazorla and Oxlade-Chamberlain are seeing plenty of the ball early on.

10 minAnother half-chance for Arsenal as Cazorla finds Gibbs inside the box, but Manolas just manages to clear the danger. The match is starting to liven up now.

8 minFantastic work from Oxlade-Chamberlain as he takes possession away from Holebas out wide, but his cross is collected by Megyeri. Pretty much as expected thus far.

6 minHalf-chance for the away side as Mannone kicks it straight to Fuster outside the box, but Arteta makes the clearance. That was sloppy.

6 minThe rain is really starting to come down now. This will suit Arsenal with their style of football. Meanwhile, Olympiakos have a sighter as Machado whips a free kick into the box, but it drifts out of play.

5 minI'm not sure if the away side have actually had possession of the ball thus far. First real piece of attacking intent from Arsenal as Gervinho finds Coquelin, but he is felled outside the box.

3 minArsenal immediately gain possession of the ball with Arteta in midfield as they begin to pass and probe.

1 minHere we go then. Olympiakos get us underway. I'm not entirely sure whether they will see much of the ball this evening.

7.44pmHandshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. We are almost ready to get this one underway. Let's hope for some goals this evening.

7.41pmHere we go then. Both sets of players are just about to us on the pitch. Bit of a cold night in London this evening. Let's see if any of the players are wearing gloves. I certainly would be.

7.38pmFormer Arsenal striker Alan Smith - on Sky Sports News - has identified Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as the key man for the Gunners tonight. He really is an exciting young talent.

7.35pmThe Emirates is just starting to fill up nicely with around 10 minutes until kickoff. If Arsenal get an early goal, it could be a romp. It will be that kind of match.

7.32pmI have touched on this in my last few Arsenal games, but I feel it is right to bring it up again. Theo Walcott is once more on the Gunners' bench this evening. He really has not had a sniff this season. Could he be off in January? I know a lot of clubs that would take him.

7.29pmTaking a look at Olympiakos again for a moment. They have only conceded five goals so far this season. Whatever level you are playing at, that is impressive.

7.26pmJust a reminder that Manchester City are also in action this evening at home to Borussia Dortmund. You just get the feeling that City have to win or they are bang in trouble in their group.

7.23pmRight, we are just about 20 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in London. Regular followers will know what time it is now. Yep, my prediction. I just cannot see Arsenal not winning this evening. I am going for 3-1 to the home side.

7.20pmSubs:

Arsenal: Shea, Santos, Djourou, Ramsey, Arshavin, Giroud, Walcott

Olympiakos: Carroll, Modesto, Lykogiannis, Ibagaza, Abdoun, Pantelic, Diogo

7.17pmJust a reminder that Arsene Wenger will not be on the touchline this evening as he serves the second game of a three-match ban. Assistant Steve Bould will take charge once more.

7.14pmThe Greek side are still recovering from the loss of star striker Kevin Mirallas in the summer. Meanwhile, arguably their best player, Rafik Djebbour, will be missing through injury this evening. Truth be told, you are not going to find many people backing an away win at the Emirates.

7.11pmVictory for Arsenal tonight would open up a six-point gap over their Greek opponents, while it could be the same margin over Montpellier if the French club lose against Schalke this evening. As mentioned, Arsenal beat Olympiakos 2-1 at home in the group stages of last year's competition.

7.08pmTeams:

Arsenal: Mannone; Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Coquelin, Arteta, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Gervinho, Podolski

Olympiakos: Megyeri; Maniatis, Contreras, Holebas, Siovas; Machado, Fuster, Diakite, Greco; Mitroglou

7.05pmTeam News: Roy Carroll only makes the bench for Olympiakos with Balasz Megyeri starting between the sticks. Full team news to follow.

7.04pmThey face an Olympiakos side, however, who have won all four of their matches this season and a team who are used to winning football matches. You have to go back some way for their best finish in the Champions League, however, a quarter-final exit to Juventus in 1999.

7.01pmThe Gunners enter the match off the back of a 2-1 home defeat to Chelsea at the weekend, but that has been their only defeat of the season thus far. Meanwhile, they have put six goals past two teams this season and will be intent on proving their pedigree this evening.

6.58pmWe are still awaiting the Olympiakos team news. But a familiar face in the Greek side's team should be former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll. Talk about a blast from the past!

6.55pmWe are just awaiting the team news for the away side. As soon as it becomes available we will bring it to you. Meanwhile, looking at the Arsenal side, Francis Coquelin is also handed a start in midfield.

6.53pmTeams:

Arsenal: Mannone; Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Coquelin, Arteta, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Gervinho, Podolski

Olympiakos: To follow.

6.51pmBREAKING TEAM NEWS: Mikel Arteta starts for Arsenal. However, Theo Walcott must settle for a place on the bench once more. Full teams to follow.

6.48pmTonight our focus switches back to Arsenal who will be looking to make it six points from two Champions League matches this season. In their way is a stern Olympiakos outfit who will be looking to get their campaign underway with three points at the Emirates.

6.45pmGood evening all! Phew, what a night of Champions League football we had on Tuesday. There were wins for Manchester United and Chelsea, while Celtic finally secured an away win against Spartak Moscow to sit second behind Barcelona in their group.
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