Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos – 29/09/09 – (Champions League) 30 September, 2009

You can’t be anything but pleased with last night’s win. 2-0, 3 points and we’ve already established a lead at the top of our group. It was a good performance too and it could’ve easily been more than two.

It was still goal-less at half time but Olympiacos were very lucky to still be in it. In the end it took a bit of hard work and persistence, and we eventually scored in the 78th minute with a second coming 8 minutes later.

I spoke about the possibility of Tomas Rosicky starting yesterday, I didn’t think Wenger was going to do it, but he did and he was very good again. Tom was replaced by Eduardo after 65mins as we pushed for a goal but he looked in good shape even after an hour of football, I think it was just a precaution. In my mind he’s pretty much back in frame now.

Olympiacos’ captain and goalkeeper, Nikopolidis had a very busy night and did a great job keeping his side in it. He made a string of saves in the first half however he was beaten by Fabregas in the 17th but was saved by his crossbar. The ball came to Cesc on the edge of the box, took a slight touch to flick the ball up then volleyed it over Nikopolidis’ head. It would’ve been one of the goals of the season if it had dipped a few inches lower but it wasn’t to be for Cesc.

Before half time came Arshavin, van Persie, Cesc again and Vermaelen had all seen shots saved by the visiting captain. We were all over them but we just couldn’t get past him.

We came close to conceding early in the second half but Mannone did well again. It would’ve been such a shame to go 1-0 down after all that work in the first half. It was a bit of a reality check and we got back up the other end in search of a goal.

An hour gone and still stuck at 0-0, it was just starting to get frustrating and it was then that Eduardo was brought on and we played most of the game with a risky 4-2-4.

In the 73rd minute I found myself shouting at the TV when van Persie almost squeezed in the opener then the following up Gallas couldn’t get it in even when the ‘keeper was on the floor and he was one-on-one. In the end Billy was flagged offside but that’s besides the point.

My frustration was vented just 5 minutes later though when we finally made it 1-0. Eduardo had the ball down the left, waited for the right moment and slid a ball in along the six-yard box for van Persie to come rushing in and give us the lead. Nicely worked goal, not the most beautiful you’ll ever see but that’s something we’re learning how do to.

With a few minutes to go Arshavin made it 2-0. He started the move outside the box and made his run into the area. His initial pass-and-move didn’t go to plan with Ramsey choosing to play it to Cesc on the right but the captain spotted Andrey in the middle who finished with a cheeky little back-heel flick.

So 2-0 it ended – job done. It was frustrating for a while but we got there in the end. We might’ve been able to relax a little easier had one of the earlier chances gone in. We’ve now got a few days to prepare for Blackburn on Sunday which should see the return of Theo Walcott; he played an hour for the reserves against Olympiacos reserves yesterday at the training ground and in last night’s post-match thoughts Wenger confirmed he is now available for selection for club and country.

Right then, I’ll speak to you tomorrow I guess. See ya.