Arsenal make Europa League quarter-finals despite Olympiakos loss

Arsenal comfortably booked their place in the last eight of the Europa League despite losing to Greek side Olympiakos on Thursday. 

After a dull first half, the visitors' bright start to the second period was rewarded with a goal from Moroccan striker Youssef El-Arabi in the 51st minute. That goal gave Olympiakos hope as they needed two more goals, but they were unable to build on that. In fact, they got a red card towards the end which summed up their frustration. 

Despite losing the match, Arsenal were very comfortable apart from a 15 minute spell after half-time. In the first period, chances were at a premium. Arsenal were happy to let time pass while Olympiakos rarely got close to the Gunners' goal.

In the 20th minute, El-Arabi was picked out in space by the keeper, he was one on one and Leno had to make a fine stop with his knee.  At the other end, Nicolas Pepe had Arsenal's only chance after Sa came out and failed to get the ball and Pepe's effort was deflected by Sokratis before going out for a corner. It was goalless at the interval, but things livened up after the break.

 

March 18, 2021

Fortounis hit wide of the goal within minutes of the restart and then Holebas' flick on from a corner was very nearly turned in by a teammate as the Greeks went hard in search of a goal. They were rewarded after 51 minutes when Ceballos lost the ball, Fortounis drove forward, he gave it to El-Arabi to his left and the shot beat Leno after a wicked deflection off Gabriel. 

Olympiakos needed two more, but the goal was the wake up call Arsenal needed. Pepe should have levelled on the hour mark, but Smith-Rowe got in the way off his goalbound shot. It did not matter though as the visitors were hardly troubling at the other end. 

In fact, Odegaard had an effort and Aubameyang, who started after being dropped at the weekend, could have scored twice. First he was one on one on the counter, but inexplicably hit wide of the goal and then he saw an effort saved by keeper Jose Sa after being picked out by Martinelli. 

Either side of those two Aubameyang chances, Ba was stupidly sent off for Olympiakos for two yellows in five seconds. The first was for catching Martinelli in the face with his arm and the second was for throwing the ball down in frustration. The ball came close to striking Spanish referee Carlos del Cerro Grande and Ba was given his marching orders. That red card summed up Olympiakos' frustration and they never really looked like scoring three times at the Emirates.