Key Points

Arsenal continued their impressive Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win against Olympiacos. Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring early, setting the tone for the match. Bukayo Saka sealed the victory with a late goal in stoppage time. The win maintains Arsenal's perfect start in the competition, showcasing their depth and tactical flexibility under Mikel Arteta.

Key Points: Martinelli Sparks Arsenal's Perfect Champions League Start

  • Martinelli scores crucial 12th-minute opener
  • Arsenal maintains clean sheet record
  • Saka seals victory in stoppage time
  • Arteta rotates squad successfully
2 min read

Martinelli strikes early as Arsenal extend perfect Champions League start

Gabriel Martinelli's early goal leads Arsenal to 2-0 victory over Olympiacos, maintaining their flawless Champions League campaign.

"Winning the Champions League is always very complicated - Mikel Arteta"

London, Oct 2

Gabriel Martinelli scored early to set Arsenal on course for a 2-0 win over Olympiacos, maintaining the Premier League side's perfect start in the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Martinelli reacted quickest in the 12th minute after Viktor Gyokeres' shot was saved by Konstantinos Tzolakis and deflected onto the post. The Brazilian forward also had a goal and an assist in Arsenal's opening win over Athletic Club.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta rotated heavily, making six changes from the weekend victory over Newcastle.

Olympiacos threatened an equaliser as Daniel Podence forced David Raya into a strong save and Francisco Chiquinho had a goal disallowed for offside.

Martin Odegaard was denied by Tzolakis before substitute Bukayo Saka sealed the win in stoppage time, his low shot slipping through the goalkeeper's legs.

"Winning the Champions League is always very complicated, keeping another clean sheet, we make something like 11 in 14 games, which is remarkable from the boys. I think we started the game really well, I think we looked a real threat, really dynamic, really playing forwards around a lot of threats. Generally to the goal another two or three big chances and we don't put them away in this competition," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said.

Gunners will be back at Emirates Stadium on Saturday to take on West Ham United in the Premier League. That's the last game before the October international break, they will resume away to Fulham on October 18.

Elsewhere, Anthony Gordon's pair of coolly-taken penalties helped Newcastle United to their biggest-ever win in the Champions League proper by beating Union Saint-Gilloise 4-0.

Summer signing Nick Woltemade gave Eddie Howe's side a 17th-minute lead when he diverted Sandro Tonali's low shot past a wrong-footed Kjell Scherpen.

Gordon struck twice from the spot either side of half-time and substitute Harvey Barnes capped victory with just over ten minutes remaining by finishing off a counterattack.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Arteta's rotation policy is working well. Good to see the squad depth being utilized properly. Though I wish they'd converted more of those chances - in knockout stages, those misses could be costly.
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Aditya G
Another clean sheet! Our defense is looking solid. Watching from Mumbai with my Arsenal fan friends - the celebrations when Saka scored were epic! 💪
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Sarah B
As someone who follows both Premier League and Champions League, Arsenal's progress under Arteta has been impressive. The team looks more mature in European competitions now.
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Karthik V
Martinelli's positioning and reaction time for that goal was world class! Watching from Delhi with my morning chai - perfect start to the day! Hope they can maintain this form against tougher opponents.
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Michael C
Good performance but Olympiacos had their chances too. The disallowed goal could have changed the game. Arsenal need to be more clinical against better teams.

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