Elneny puts icing on cake as Arsenal recover from error
ARSENAL struck two late goals to beat Olympiacos and take control of their Europa League round of 16 clash — having almost proved architects of their own downfall once again.
The Gunners will defend a 3-1 lead at the Emirates Stadium next week and were good value for their win in Greece.
Martin Odegaard’s first Arsenal goal had them ahead only for another defensive calamity to gift Youssef El-arabi the equaliser just before the hour.
The visitors were rocked but recovered well and would hit two goals in six minutes as a Gabriel Magalhaes header and a fine strike from substitute Mohamed Elneny earned a good victory.
Mikel Arteta saw his side dumped out by Olympiacos at the round of 32 stage last season despite winning the opening leg in Greece but will be hoping lightning does not strike twice.
Arsenal were back at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium for the second time in a fortnight, having hosted the ‘home’ leg of their tie against Benfica on the outskirts of Athens due to current coronavirus travel restrictions.
The Premier League side have now won more Europa League knockout stages at the home of Olympiacos than the reigning Greek champions themselves — but they made it harder for themselves than was necessary.
Odegaard missed a fine early chance to put the visitors ahead, scuffing a shot wide after being picked out by Kieran Tierney.
If the Norway international was guilty of a poor miss, Pierre-emerick Aubameyang was denied soon after by a fine Jose Sa save as the Olympiacos goalkeeper tipped his header onto the crossbar.
The hosts had started slowly but were beginning to edge into the contest and Bruma should have done better when gifted possession by Odegaard, the winger only able to shoot straight at Bernd Leno.
It was a number of sloppy moments for the Real Madrid loanee but he would make amends by thrashing Arsenal in front.
Thomas Partey played the ball into Odegaard in a central position and his arrowed shot flew in off the wrist of Sa.
Olympiacos were almost level as Arsenal were again caught trying to play out from the back, David Luiz’s pass being closed down by Giorgos Masouras, who then shot wildly wide of goal.
That was just a hint of what was to come as Arteta’s men would all-but present Olympiacos with their equaliser.
Just like at Burnley on Sunday, Leno played the ball short and into the feet of Dani Ceballos. He was closed down quickly, losing possession as El-arabi levelled with a crisp finish.
Arsenal regathered their collective poise and Willian collected a short corner and crossed for Gabriel to send a looping header over Sa to re-establish the lead.
Elneny came off the bench after Gabriel’s effort and his first involvement was to curl home a low effort from outside the box and put his side firmly in the driving seat.
OLYMPIACOS: Malheiro de Sa, Lala, Papastathopoulos, Reabciuk (Holebas, 46 mins), M’vila, Camara, Bouchalakis, Masouras (Androutsos 86) Valbuena (Fortounis, 46 mins), El-arabi (Koka, 77 mins), Bruma (Randjelovic, 59 mins). Unused subs: Drager, Karargyris, Tzolakis, Sourlis.
ARSENAL: Leno, Bellerin, Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney, Willian (Elneny, 81 mins), Partey (Ceballos, 55 mins), Xhaka, Odegaard (Smith Rowe, 82 mins), Aubameyang (Lacazette, 88 mins), Saka (Pepe, 82 mins). Unused subs: Holding, Soares, Chambers, Mari, Ryan, Martinelli, Hein.
Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany)
Man of the match: Gabriel
Match rating: 7/10
a goal in that manner. Simon Kjaer is obviously a good player, he makes a good run, he’s strong and his marker gets blocked off, so he gets in front of him.
“Disappointed but, then again, that can happen. I’ve been part of a team that’s scored in injury time in Europe myself on a set play.
“We know we have to travel there and score a goal and win the game, or score two and draw.
“Of course it makes it more difficult. Always when you concede at home, you’re never happywhenyoudo.
“One minute before full time is also disappointing but we’ve got to take that on the chin and just travel down there next week and go for it.”
On the impact of the away goal on the round of 16 tie, Solskjaer added: “It makes it harder but it makes us have to go down there and score goals and win the game.
“That might suit us. It probably will suit us. We’re a team that’s better when we go forward, more direct.”
Milan boss Stefano Pioli was proud of his team’s “amazing” spirit at Old Trafford, with Kjaer securing the positive result their performance deserved.
“We are working to grow and bring Milan back where we belong,” said the Rossoneri chief.
“Before the game we would have been very happy with a 1-1 draw.”