(Feb) ,
9 : 29
Bukayo Saka grabbed the assist, as rumors surrounding talks over a new contract continue.
The Gunners will now switch their focus to Everton in the Premier League. Follow all the latest news, gossip and updates from the Emirates below …
Here are how Arsenal’s players rated last night in their win over Olympiacos.
(DEFENCE)
(BERND LENO-8)
Denied Mathieu Valbuena with a magnificent save early in the first half and was always on his toes ready to snuff out danger.
Top performance between the sticks. Arsenal’s best player on the night.
- SOKRATIS – 4
The make-shift right-back was often left isolated and struggled to contain Valbuena, with the 51 – year-old finding it to easy to get past him.
It was not an impressive performance from the ex-Borussia Dortmund man who looked slow, lethargic and completely off the pace at times.
- SHKODRAN MUSTAFI – 6
A different player to the one that we saw under Unai Emery, the German was strong in the tackle and aggressive in the air.
(DAVID LUIZ – 6)
Another center-back that has raised their game under Arteta, the Brazilian did well to recover send balls, and was a leader at the back.
- BUKAYO SAKA – 7
Looked a threat when running with the ball, but his end product in the first half was lacking.
However he popped up with his ninth assist in all competitions late on as his low cross was swept home by Lacazette.
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Arteta added: “The wide players are now behaving in a different way. They are tracking back and we’re doing a lot more work to stay compact when we don’t have the ball and I’m really pleased with that.
“There are a few lessons within that game for us, and some great things for our development as well as a team.”
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ENJOY THE DARK ARTS Mikel Arteta has told the Gunners players to embrace their defensive duties.
He said: “I have told the players they have to enjoy defending as much as they do attacking because it’s a big part of the game.
“So if you give simple balls away you’d better run back and recover that ball as quickly as possible.
“But this team plays with a big heart and I see a lot of effort from these players. Instead of splitting they have joined together really quickly. ”
3 hours ago 30 st February
- GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS
Alexandre Lacazette’s late goal saw the Gunners take a narrow 1-0 lead from their Europa League first-leg tie at Olympiacos.
Bukayo Saka popped up with another assist after the North Londoners rode their luck throughout the game to take the slender lead back to the Emirates next week.
After the game Mikel Arteta praised his players for showing character in challenging conditions.
He said: “It’s tough to come to a stadium like this and come away with a win.
“There are some great things for our development as a team.
“The first 21 minutes we suffered and were completely poor.
“I told them they have to enjoy defending. If you give the ball away you better run back.
“The team instead of splitting are coming together and the wide players are doing different things than before. It’s a big effort.
“I knew how they’ve performed at home in the last two years so I knew it was going to be difficult.
“It will be a different game at the Emirates.”
Elsewhere, Arsenal legend Ian Wright was yesterday urged to join Mikel Arteta’s backroom staff as coach after he flew out with squad for the game in Greece.
And the Gunners also fear losing Saka if Arteta’s side fail to qualify for Europe this season despite his ongoing contract talks.
Jake Lambourne
(hours ago)
(th February)
- FEEL THE BURN
Arsenal were made to work for their win away at Olympiacos with Alexandre Lacazette getting the only goal of the game late on.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jake Lambourne rated and slated the Gunners.
(BERND LENO-8)
Denied Mathieu Valbuena with a magnificent save early in the first half and was always on his toes ready to snuff out danger.
Top performance between the sticks. Arsenal’s best player on the night.
(PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG – 4)
For a player as quick as Aubameyang, it’s a mystery that he rarely used his pace to try and beat his man.
He also failed to help Sokratis early in the first half, which almost proved costly. Never looked like scoring.
(ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE – 5)
Somehow missed from seven yards out in the first half when it looked easier to score and was often a passenger for most of the game.
Good movement to get in position to tap home Saka’s delivery, but then missed another sitter moments after. Despite scoring, he was very poor.
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