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Gabriel Martinelli extended Arsenal’s flawless Champions League campaign on Wednesday night, inspiring a 2-0 win over Olympiakos at the Emirates Stadium.
After a convincing 2-0 victory away to Athletic Bilbao in their opening fixture, Mikel Arteta’s side maintained their perfect start to the league phase with another composed display in north London.
Martinelli opened the scoring in the first half, while Bukayo Saka sealed the win in stoppage time as Arsenal recorded their seventh victory in nine matches across all competitions this season. The result also marked their 10th clean sheet in 13 home Champions League fixtures.
Arteta’s Tactical Masterclass
Facing Olympiakos coach Jose Luis Mendilibar — who mentored him as a teenager in the Athletic Bilbao academy — Arteta rotated his squad, resting England trio Saka, Declan Rice, and Eberechi Eze. Captain Martin Ødegaard returned from a shoulder injury and immediately lifted Arsenal’s attacking tempo.
The hosts should have led within two minutes when Myles Lewis-Skelly’s cross found Martinelli, who headed wide from close range. The Brazilian made amends 10 minutes later. Ødegaard sliced through the Greek defence with a pinpoint pass to Viktor Gyökeres, whose shot struck the post before Martinelli calmly finished the rebound for his third goal of the season.
Ødegaard, who inspired Sunday’s comeback win over Newcastle, continued to dictate play. His creativity repeatedly carved open Olympiakos, with Gyökeres and Leandro Trossard both going close.
Olympiakos Threaten but Fall Short
The visitors, who had managed just one goal in their previous six Champions League outings, threatened sporadically. Daniel Podence forced a fine save from David Raya, while Chiquinho’s effort was ruled out for a marginal offside.
Tzolakis, Olympiakos’ goalkeeper, kept his side in the game with a brilliant double stop from Ødegaard before Saka sealed the points deep into added time. The substitute’s low shot squirmed through Tzolakis’ legs after another incisive Ødegaard pass.
Arsenal now turn their focus to Saturday’s Premier League clash with West Ham as they aim to close the two-point gap on leaders Liverpool.
