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Fans often talk about unbeaten runs in the area of North London, and it remains the sole description to characterize Mikel Arteta's performance with Arsenal in continental group stage ties at the Emirates Stadium. It is now, eight wins out of as many in the Champions League with zero goals allowed. Adding to factor in the Europa League from earlier in his tenure, it's 14 wins out of 14 with two goals against.

The Greek side had come with a notable statistic of their making. They had triumphed on their past three trips to this ground, the latest two coming in the elimination phase of the tournament, although the latter in the 2020-21 season did not prevent an aggregate exit.

Nobody anticipated anything other than another victory at home, the most recent demonstration of the team's power and squad quality even with this proving to be a decent Olympiakos side. It was nervier than the home crowd would have liked in the closing stages, the opposition applying pressure and making for a nervous moments.

But this Arsenal team is not easily penetrated. We are into the month and so far they have let in just three goals in all competitions – only one of them in open play. Gabriel Martinelli scored for them in the 12th minute with Bukayo Saka, coming off the bench, taking a pass from the outstanding captain to seal the win in added time. The North Londoners roll on.

Looking Back

Arsenal had to return to late 2019 for the previous time they had failed to win a group match at their stadium in Europe; a loss to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League which led to the dismissal of the former coach, the interim period of the club legend and the arrival of Arteta, whose first European assignment would be against Olympiakos in the last 32. It concluded in a last-gasp overtime loss here and an away goals exit.

There were numerous eye-catching statistics around this encounter, several related to history. When had they previously conceded a goal in a European group game on home soil? It was against the Austrian team in the 4-1 tournament win in December 2020.

Team Selection

The manager rotated the squad to his lineup – six of them from Sunday's victory at Newcastle – as he was expected to do. With the ability to recall players of the calibre of William Saliba and the captain, it spoke volumes.

Ødegaard was on form at the outset, bringing the urgency on the ball; the cutting edge. The captain initiated an early move that ended with Martinelli unexpectedly heading the youngster's cross off target while alone in front of goal. It seemed to deflect off his shoulder.

No matter. It was soon before Arsenal took the lead and it was the Brazilian with the tap-in from a tight angle after Viktor Gyökeres saw the shot-stopper, Kostas Tzolakis, push his shot against the post. The playmaker had provided the pass to Gyökeres and it was due to the striker's power; he barged in between a pair of opposition defenders to make it happen.

Key Moments

Martinelli was on his less favoured right side; the Belgian on the opposite wing. The winger should have passed to his teammate on 21 minutes when they broke with two against one. Rather, he tried to beat the last man and failed to get around him.

The home side ought to have had additional goals before the interval. The striker ignored a square pass for Martinelli after Ødegaard's incisive pass and shot at Tzolakis while the defender went close following his corner. The forward swiped a further opportunity high after a lovely ball from Trossard.

Olympiakos, to their deserved praise, competed well. Ayoub El Kaabi looped a effort too close to the Arsenal goalkeeper just before Martinelli opened the scoring and their best opportunity of the opening period came in the 32nd minute when Daniel Podence connected with a volley sweetly from Santiago Hezze's cross. Raya pushed it over; an superb reaction stop.

Evangelos Marinakis, the Olympiakos proprietor, was present in the stands a short time after watching one of his additional teams, the English side, be defeated 3-0 here. In the visitors' section, the Olympiakos supporters played their drums and chanted their songs. They are considered one of Europe's most dedicated supporters for good reason. Could the side provide something?

Closing Stages

The coach introduced Declan Rice for Mikel Merino as he aimed to control the remainder. The plan appeared to be defensive solidity; Arsenal changed down through the gears. Trossard missed a few chances but there was nervousness in the home crowd; shouts for the team to focus as they weathered a scare in the middle of the half. Podence's cross was perfect for El Kaabi, whose attempt was stopped by Raya. The striker tapped in the follow-up but he was in an offside position.

The manager introduced Saka and the creative midfielder while he was forced to change the centre-back for the young defender. The captain ought to have converted from close range only to be denied by Tzolakis and Olympiakos held onto belief. The England international would extinguish it at the final moment.