Gabi & Saka hunt down sturdy Greeks - Arsenal are 2/2

Arsenal's performance wasn't as good as the fans were used to, but the second Champions League victory in as many games is noted, and that's the most important thing for the Londoners.

Tonight at Emirates Stadium, Olympiacos weren't able to threaten seriously, while the Gunners experienced a festival of wasted chances, as Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, and Martin Odegaard - arguably the best player on the pitch - lacked concentration in the decisive moments.

Still, the situation from the 12th minute when Martinelli broke the deadlock and added time when the sub Bukayo Saka sealed the deal will remain etched in the crowd's memory, while the wasted opportunities will be forgotten shortly - 2-0.

Just two minutes into the match, Gabriel Martinelli wasted a colossal chance, heading the ball wide off the right post, despite being completely alone in the middle of the visitors' box. Still, 11 minutes later, the Brazilian had no mercy!

Martin Odegaard sent a perfect pass for Viktor Gyokeres, whose effort hit the post. However, Martinelli was in the right place to tap the ball into the net off a rebound and put Arsenal in front early in the game.

In the 20th minute, Olympiacos threatened for the first time over the ex-Wolverhampton man Daniel Podence, but David Raya made a marvellous save, keeping his net intact.

Arsenal's captain was "dancing" all over the pitch, his passes tore the rivals' defence, and had Gyokeres and Martinelli been a bit better in finishing, the Gunners' edge at the break wouldn't have been minimal.

The North London side's pressure continued, Arteta subbed in Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber, but the misses continued, so the home team could have been punished in the 67th minute, but Olympiacos' goal was ruled out for offside. Luck was on Arsenal's side.

Saliba 2030! Five-year extension for Gunners' defensive cornerstone

Still, given that the Gunners couldn't find the second goal and definitely break the sturdy opponent, their gaffer sent Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze to the pitch, trying to increase his offensive potential and freshen up his crew.

Nine minutes before the end, Odegaard tried to take things into his own hands and he wasted a colossal chance as well! The Norwegian shot twice from close range, but even that wasn't enough to double his team's lead.

In the end, what his teammates failed to do, the sub Bukayo Saka managed, scoring the vital second goal for Arsenal and securing the new three points for the home crew.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 2

Tuesday

Atalanta - Club Brugge 2-1 (0-1)

/Samardzic 73 pen, Pasalic 87 - Tzolis 38/

Kairat - Real Madrid 0-5 (0-1)

/Mbappe 25 pen, 52, 74, Camavinga 83, Diaz 90+3/

Atletico Madrid - Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 (3-0)

/Raspadori 4, Le Normand 33, Griezmann 45+1, 68, Alvarez 82 pen - Burkardt 57/

Bodo/Glimt - Tottenham 2-2 (0-0)

/Hauge 53, 66 - Van de Ven 69, Richarlison 89/

Chelsea - Benfica 1-0 (1-0)

/Rios 18 og/

Galatasaray - Liverpool 1-0 (1-0)

/Osimhen 16 pen/

Inter - Slavia Prague 3-0 (2-0)

/Lautaro 30, 65, Dumfries 34/

Olympique Marseille - Ajax 4-0 (3-0)

/Paixao 6, 13, Greenwood 26, Aubameyang 53/

Pafos - Bayern 1-5 (1-4)

/Orsic 45 - Kane 15, 35, Guerreiro 21, Jackson 31, Olise 69/

Wednesday

Qarabag - Copenhagen 2-0 (1-0)

/Zoubir 28, Addai 83/

St.Gilloise - Newcastle 0-4 (0-2)

/Woltemade 17, Gordon 43(p), 64(p), Barnes 80/

Arsenal - Olympiakos 2-0 (1-0)

/Martinelli 12, Saka 90+2/

Barcelona - PSG 1-2 (1-1)

/Torres 19 - Mayulu 38, Ramos 90/

Dortmund - Ath.Bilbao 4-1 (1-0)

/Svensson 28, Chukwuemeka 50, Guirassy 82, Brandt 90+1 - Guruzeta 61/

Leverkusen - PSV 1-1 (0-0)

/Kofane 65 - Saibari 72/

Monaco - Man.City 2-2 (1-2)

/Teze 18, Dier 90 pen - Haaland 15, 44/

Napoli - Sporting 2-1 (1-0)

/Hojlund 36, 79 - Suarez 62 pen/

Villareal - Juventus 2-2 (1-0)

/Mikautadze 18, Veiga 90 - Gatti 49, Conceicao 56/