In the Aftermath: Arsenal v Olympiakos – Post Match Review

Catch me if you can

There was no slaughter of the oncoming hordes of attackers. Try as they may a group of Greeks, overwhelmed and backed up to defend against a superior force couldn’t sustain themselves long enough to escape. In the end Arsenal, looking better on the pitch then they did this past weekend, defeated Olymipakos in a 2-0 match that wasn’t much of a contest.

Intent on not seeing a woeful start like they had done a fortnight ago, Arsenal’s lineup had more of an attacking skew to it. Emmanuel Eboue replaced Bacary Sagna. Nicholas Bendtner, sidelined with brusies suffered in a car accident was replaced on the wing by Tomas Rosicky.  The result was immediately evident wwith Arsenal controlling play right out the outset and pretty much for the rest of the evening.

However, as with any Arsenal match, it wasn’t devoid of frustration. For 77 minutes the Gunners had their way with the Greeks. Be it possession, attacking the ball, passing or shots. The only place they did not have control was on the score board. For all their prowess for 2/3 of the match Arsenal seemed intent on shooting the ball directly at the 38 year old greek ‘keeper Nikopolidis. For sure Vito Mannone must’ve been thinking he was watching a performance similar to his against Fulham.

Olympiakos manager, Zico seemed to have his side trying to limit what damage Arsenal could do to them. Zico would’ve been happy to come out of the Emirates with a 0-0 draw which would have given his side 4 points and tied with Arsenal and still kept them on the path to move out of the group stage. To combat Arsenals pace and skill Olympiakos while not completely backing the bus up played, behind the line and only ventured forward when the threat of a counter-attack wasn’t evident. It almost paid off.

For all of the control Arsenal had it was Olympiakos who almost came away with the lead right after half. With their best possession of the match they moved down the field with a verve any Arsenal fan would’ve been proud of. The play around the box earned them a corner and a wonderfully placed header by Mellberg was stopped at the line by Don Mannone. From that point on Olympiakos would get scarce sniffs of the goal.

Not content to walk away with a draw Arsene substituted Eduardo for Tomas Rosicky and it was the clever Crozillian’s pass outside the box to Robin Van Persie that ended the Gunner’s evening frustration. The linking up play that led to the goal was classic Arsenal and Eduardo’s patience on the ball was key to delivering the perfect pass to Robin Van Persie. The win was secured in the 85th minute with a rather cheeky heel shot by Andrei Arshavin.  In review it looks like the Russian was offside but it was a call that was missed by the refs.

Arsenal for their part were clearly the better of the two sides. The grouping of Arshavin, Rosicky, Van Persie, Fabregas were as dynamic an attacking group as Arsenal had fielded in quite a while. Arshavin while not getting on to the board until the 85th minute was a threat every time he had the ball. He orchestrated one shot with a slight roll of the right foot shifting on his left and shooting for the near post. Only the late outstretched body of the Olympiakos ‘keeper kept it from going in. 

Cesc Fabregas who has been maligned of late for not seeming to be in games lately looks to be back in form orchestrating every moment last night. His presence and ability to see a play develop before it develops is uncanny.  Tomas Rosicky looks to show Arsenal fans why Arsene Wenger signed him. There were times last night when he juked or lost players simply by turning on a dime. Like Fabregas and Arshavin he has a low centre of gravity and it makes defending him diffcult. And also like his spanish captain, his ability to make plays from beautiful crosses and passes last night was clinical.

 Overall the play from the team was stellar.The constant tracking down of the ball by two or more players which was evident in this game as it was early on in the season. The defensive players are covering for each other on missed plays as when Gallas nearly gave away the ball in the box and Vermaelen was right there to push the ball out. That is a sight that is going to be repated over and over as this tandem build a stronger playing relationship. Players seem to be taking charge on the field more and being vocal with each other. Something not seen last season.

A lot has been made about the inexperience of this team and its youthfulness. Sports teams grow up as they play and as they learn. Some players still need to develop – like Diaby who still is not delivering. He gives the ball away too easily for a player of his size and his speed lacks in a team as quick as this. ON a few occassions last night there were through balls from either Arshavin or Fabregas that Diaby just did not show the pace or mindset to get. Conversely we are seeing the maturation of Alexander Song. While he still make some mistakes, like holding on the ball too long, overall his play this season is a marked difference from last.

There wasn’t much wrong with the team last night. And the results fell the way they should’ve. The team seems to be getting its stride and winning again. Only where we stand in May will tell us if this is indeed a better team. From the early looks of it though thre is much to like about this team.

Next up an EPL match again Blackburn

Player ratings:

1. Mannone – 7 – only had to make the one good save.
2. Gallas – 8 – played like a monster all night
3 Vermaelen – 8 – saved his CB partners backside on a beautfiul cover
4. Clichy – 7 – Focused and quick never once let a defender get behind him
5. Eboue – 7 – Added as an attacking threat in place Sagna. Showed more improvement
6. Rosicky – 7 – Its clear he is not 100% but 90% of Rosicky is better than others. Showed why when healthy he is a player to be reckoned with
7. Song – 7.5 – The kid is loudly trying to stake his claim to the holding midfielder role
8. Fabregas – 8.5 – He’s back!
9. Diaby – 5.5 – the worst of the starters
10. Van Persie – 8.5 – Pace, attitude and a killer goal
11. Arshavin – 9 – Was a threat every time he touched the ball

Subs:
1. Eduardo – 8 – Set up the go ahead goal with thoughtful play
2. Vela – 6 – non consequential
3. Ramsey – 7 – set up the Arshavin’s insurance goal