- 11 hours ago
any thought of full match? Mention us on X
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00Arsenal start the night as clear favourites here, but Olympiakos, remember, have won their last three games here against the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium.
00:13So this is Arsenal, six changes for them tonight as Mikel Arteta rotates his deep squad.
00:20The likes of Timber Rice and Saka all drop to the bench, Ben White, William Saliba and Myles Lewis Skelly starting defence.
00:27It's White's first start since the League Cup game here against Port Vale.
00:31Martin Odegaard's back in the team after his shoulder problem and Gabriel Martinelli starts as well.
00:36He scored on match day one and he's been really impactful of the Arsenal bench.
00:40Eza, Calafiore and Mosquera are the other players who drop out.
00:48All friends before the kick-off, Mikel Arteta and Mendilibar, the manager of Olympiakos.
00:57The referee's French tonight, Francois Latexier, and the video assistant is the German, Soren Storks.
01:06So Olympiakos are certainly the underdogs tonight and make two changes from the weekend.
01:19Danny Garcia and Gelson Martins both start.
01:22I suppose that Daniel Podence is the most familiar face from his time at Wolves.
01:28Ayub Elkavi is a club legend, he scored the winning goal in the Conference League final.
01:32And Costas Solakis is the goalkeeper tonight, he didn't play on match day one.
01:37on match day one.
01:50Well, it's tonight the night where Victor Jokeres gets his first Champions League goal for Arsenal.
01:54He scored six for Sporting Lisbon in this competition last season.
01:59The main source of goals for Olympiakos tonight is likely to be Ayub Elkavi, who's got three on the season.
02:06There he is.
02:07He is very much a club legend in Piraeus, having scored that winner in the final, the Conference League final,
02:12that made the first Greek club to win a European trophy.
02:19So Olympiakos have played seven times so far this season.
02:21They haven't lost, but of course they only drew on match day one against Tafos.
02:26Just feel like the kind of night, Ali McCoyston, good evening to you,
02:29where Arsenal can really flex their muscles as one of the favourites for the competition.
02:33Yes, good evening everyone first of all.
02:35Yep, absolutely Darren.
02:38I mentioned to you earlier on before the match, I looked at the Arsenal team,
02:42but actually before I looked at the Arsenal team, I looked at the Arsenal bench,
02:45and I thought to myself, wow, dear me, that's the first time in a few years I've looked at a bench from Arsenal,
02:50I've been really, really impressed, ready to go on all fronts.
02:55So yes, an answer to the question is an opportunity.
02:58Just on that bench, Mosquera, Saka, Eza, Timberg, Norgard, Waneri, Calafiore, Rice,
03:04and the talented 15-year-old Max Daumann all on it, as well as the goalkeeper.
03:09So it really is a show of strength, you'd say, from Arsenal in the Champions League.
03:14The red and white for them, the chain strip for Olympiakos,
03:17and a first touch there for William Saliba, who's one of the changes made by Mikel Arteta tonight.
03:23Six of them in total, which shows how deep they are,
03:26but it also means that he wants to give players time out there.
03:29Which is understandable.
03:31You know, it's all very well having a big squad and one that's required, Darren, but at the same time,
03:37you've got to keep them rotating and keep them playing, keep them fresh, keep them hungry, and that's what he's done tonight.
03:44It's the start of a big three and a half weeks for Arsenal, whichever way you look at it,
03:49with the international break on the horizon too, they'll play three Premier League London derbies,
03:53as well as Atletico Madrid on match day three, so they'll want to get off to a decent start here tonight
03:59against Olympiakos.
04:01This is a stat by the way that Arsenal fans will love, since the Emirates Stadium has been open,
04:06Olympiakos have won here three times and Tottenham Hotspur only twice.
04:11I need to inform you, I've never ever been more tempted to steal a start off you than that one.
04:18There was applause behind me when I gave him.
04:22But it is a remarkable start, actually, in all seriousness, isn't it?
04:25Astonishing, really. David Ryan with a lovely ball to Martin Erdegaard.
04:30Oh, what a lovely ball that was, wasn't it?
04:31Absolutely. Equally as good from Erdegaard to sweep it on to the other side and Lewis Skelly,
04:37as Arsenal get on the move, Martinelli should have been 1-0.
04:41I mean, that is about as good a chance as you're going to get inside the opening two minutes.
04:46And the move from goalkeeper to sticking it on Martinelli's head was brilliant.
04:50What a fantastic move, it really is.
04:53And you know something, he is onside, there's no getting away from it.
04:57I think Parola plays him onside.
04:59I thought that, it comes off his shoulder.
05:01I don't think he meets it at all with his head, or does he?
05:04No, it's kind of head, shoulder, isn't it? What a chance.
05:10He felt the same as you, disappointment for Martinelli,
05:13and the thing that flashed through my mind, had that been Jokka Ress, it would have been 1-0.
05:17Yeah. And had that gone in,
05:19and might have went against the principal what I was giving David Rhea an assist there.
05:24Might be the best ball I've seen from a goalkeeper yet this season.
05:28Yeah.
05:31Off goes Jokka Ress, down that side for Arsenal.
05:34Martinelli's in the middle, Marino's gone in there as well.
05:38Here's Ben White, now Martinelli.
05:43Headed away, and that side by Costinia, with a free kick conceded here by Olympiacos.
05:53They were a little bit caught in the headlines here in the opening couple of minutes.
05:58I'm going early with it. What a start it's been for Arsenal, it could be a long, long night.
06:02They're gonna have to weather this early storm Olympiacos, they really, really are.
06:06Mikel Arteta up against Olympiacos for the fourth time as a manager tonight.
06:11He's only faced Paris Saint-Germain more as a manager in Europe.
06:16So, Arsenal really happy to have him back in from the start tonight.
06:26Their captain, Martin Hrdegaard, who's recovered from the shoulder injury.
06:30For the first time tonight, they've sent the dangerous Gabriel in there,
06:33along with William Saliba.
06:35It's a high line being held by the Greeks, it's in towards Saliba, who wins his header.
06:40Jokeres then beaten to it.
06:43And that's flicked away, but it's only brief respite, you feel,
06:48with Arsenal very much on the front foot from the start.
06:52Although that looks like a full-on chase it is for Leandro Trossard.
06:58Who's hearing it, by the way, from the Olympiacos fans in that part of the stadium.
07:02Here's your pass, Ali. Watch us.
07:06That's magnificent.
07:07And do you know something?
07:08I'm even going to take it a step further.
07:10The weight on it is perfect for Odegaard to hit first time.
07:12Did he also give in the eyes before he did it?
07:14No.
07:15What a chance.
07:16Actually deserved and warrantied a goal.
07:21Fantastic distribution from David Reier.
07:24Olympiacos are trailblazers for Greek clubs in Europe.
07:27It's their 38th season of competition.
07:29So far they're the only Greek team to win a trophy.
07:32And Jose Luis Menkili Bar was the manager
07:35when they won the Conference League a couple of seasons ago.
07:37They played their first European game in 1959,
07:40so they've been involved in European competition even longer than Arsenal.
07:44Against my line, how is that?
07:46I'm doing a little bit of homework, I feel.
07:49There's Martin Odegaard.
07:51Ben White trying to get across, Martinelli beat him to it,
07:55managed to just about keep the ball in play as well.
07:57The eagle eye and assistant not raising his flag.
07:59Well, Trossard who came off the bench to score in Bilbao.
08:06The one statistic that surprises me at the moment,
08:16we get the possession which constantly changes on the UEFA screen.
08:20It's only 74% for Arsenal, I can't remember where the 26% for Olympiacos were.
08:25Andro Trossard pulls it back, Martin near the guard was the target.
08:41I don't think, I actually don't think I've seen her side dominated as much
08:46in the opening five minutes of any game in a long, long time.
08:49Good to see Ben White back in the team. Of course it is.
08:59It's a bit from an Arsenal perspective, but again it's...
09:01Awww.
09:02Not bad for a pass.
09:03Awww.
09:06That's not bad either from Jocheris.
09:07We're getting to Hall here.
09:11You could spend the majority of the night touring at this rate.
09:14Odegaard, Martinelli.
09:19I just think that's one of those situations where you might like
09:24Martin Odegaard to take his shot from where he was, middle of the goal.
09:27Don't disagree.
09:30You won't hear me complain too often that people are having a shot at goal, aren't.
09:35So, Gabriel scored that late late winner at Newcastle,
09:38but that's over hit by him.
09:43This is the beauty though, Ali, of a deep squad,
09:45that when you get your chance you've got to play well,
09:47otherwise you're straight out again.
09:48And that's going to be the message that those players are given a chance tonight.
09:50Of course...
09:54That's crossed straight into the arms of David Raya by Costinia.
09:58Being allowed to carry the ball a fair distance from his right-back position.
10:03There goes Martinelli down this side, looking to get the other side of Ortega.
10:15And they're going to get the free kick here.
10:17I can't believe how high up Olympiacos are pressing there.
10:20There's a simple ball, just a straight ball, clearly a free kick nudges him off balance.
10:29I would have expected on practice to sit back, make themselves difficult to beat in the opening minutes of the game, but they're quite high, the press is high and they're quite open.
10:41It was a disappointing opening night for them.
10:43They got a draw that Tafos had ten men for quite a lot of that game and they couldn't get the goal and couldn't break them down.
10:50So it's an interesting night for them.
10:54And they've got another Arsenal free kick to defend here with Erdegaard over the ball.
11:05Interesting that they've now sent Daniel Podence up towards the halfway line on his own, which has forced Arsenal to send Louis Skelly back into a defensive position.
11:13And that's easy for the goalkeeper, Costas Solakis, who's making his Champions League debut tonight, didn't play on match day one, but he's a Greek international.
11:24No, but I can't believe he doesn't kick it. He's got a 1v1, you're right, Louis Skelly drops off to Mark Daniel Podence, but when it's a 1v1, you're as well going long.
11:35That's Jose Luis Mendilibar, who will always have his place in Olympiacos history with that conference league win, very experienced manager.
11:50It's meeting number 13 tonight, the previous 12 have all had a positive result one way or the other, six wins each to this point.
12:07I wouldn't have guessed that, by the way. I've got a city, I would not have guessed that.
12:10I was here for two of the Olympiacos wins and there wasn't a great deal of fluke about them.
12:16The dominant team in Greece, 48 domestic titles, 29 Greek Cups, but the league win last season was their first since 2022.
12:27So they're glad to be back on top and they're always fantastically supported wherever they go.
12:32There they are, the red and white stripes, which is the home colours.
12:36And of course, they're owned by the Nottingham Forest owner, Ivancelos Marinakis, who's here tonight.
12:40And Edu is part of the management set up, so he's here as well and back at the Emirates for the second time this season.
12:48It is at Gelson Martins and that's defended in there for Arsenal by Gabriel.
12:54William Saliba, rather fortunate there with the ball hitting him on his back.
13:08That could go anywhere, you know. It could go absolutely anywhere.
13:12Oh, what a ball that is, just fired it right in the up there. That's probably his first pure win.
13:30This is Santiago Hezze.
13:32This is Santiago Hezze.
13:34It's having it really difficult though, Olympiakos, to keep the ball.
13:37That's good from Luis Skelly to Odegaard, but well defended by Retzos, the captain who came across quickly.
13:44Scored on the weekend as well, didn't it, Retzos?
13:46That was Luis Skelly, that was by Marino towards Jokeres and then Pirola came over.
14:03Talking about scoring at the weekend, Fletch, both of them get very late winners at the weekend.
14:11We know Gabriel's header up at Newcastle, but equally Chiquinho, I think, at the 96th minute
14:19to get them the three points at the weekend, Saturday night.
14:30It goes towards El Carbi, and then it's helped on by Martins,
14:34and El Carbi got there just ahead of William Saliba.
14:37And for all of the slick passing so far from Arsenal, there's the threat that's evident from Olympiakos.
14:44It's a lovely gamble for Martins in behind.
14:48He knows the two bigger lads are going for it, there's every chance it will drop in behind them.
14:52Went to Jokeres looking to muscle his way through, and he's dead and he's strong,
14:56and it's going to be right in the post, leading by Martinelli.
15:03Well, they couldn't stop the big fella, he was like a runaway truck between the two defenders.
15:08And even though they got the look at the draw of the post, there was Martinelli to score now in successive Champions League games.
15:15He came off the bench to score against Bilbao, he's done it from the start now against Olympiakos.
15:20An Arsenal lead inside 13 minutes.
15:23I'll tell you what, the big fella does well, because I think he's second favourite.
15:27Look at the ball, the pass is beautiful down the side, in between the two opposition defenders.
15:32He shows brilliant strength just to hold them off.
15:36It's a little bit unlucky, goalkeeper does well.
15:38Chilakis does well, but look at the strength there.
15:40Left-hand side of his body.
15:42Easy as you like for Martinelli there.
15:46Look at the strength there, that's fantastic.
15:51Is he thinking about giving a free kick there?
15:53Surely not.
15:55Yeah.
15:56It was checked by Soren Storks, but it's been confirmed that Arsenal have the lead.
16:02I've got to say, having been part of a Europa League game last week in Seville between Forrest and Betis,
16:09Soren Storks was the video assistant that night and checked absolutely everything.
16:14Yeah.
16:15So don't be surprised.
16:16I thought they're not only meant to check if it's a clear and obvious, is that what?
16:20I've lost the clock, you know, I don't know.
16:23Clear and obvious is only meant to check, I don't know.
16:25Supposedly.
16:26The one thing I would say anyway, brilliant from Jokeres, great strength.
16:29Castinha bounced off him and good finish.
16:31The only thing I'd say about Soren Storks is he might be one of those fellas
16:34that goes back home and checks he's locked the door,
16:36because you just check absolutely everything.
16:37Yeah.
16:38What a sweatshirt.
16:39The Arsenal passing has been exceptional.
16:41It is certainly Andrew Trossard, that's him towards Martinelli,
16:43it's going to work its way out here to Ben White.
16:45That's not the best of crosses which is cleared away.
16:50Carby, now Daniel Podence.
17:11That's the perfect start for Arsenal, they had to be patient in Bilbao
17:14and essentially grind the Basques down, but tonight they've come up with this quick start.
17:19They've scored the whole big goal, they do, don't they?
17:21They absolutely deserve that, you're flying out of the traps.
17:24They're also clear, they're also clear, they're also clear!
17:29They're also clear!
17:30They're also clear!
17:31They're also clear!
17:32They're also clear!
17:33They're also clear!
17:34They're also clear!
17:35They're also clear!
17:36They're also clear!
17:37This is Dani Garcia, one of the two changes that's been made tonight, by Men Dilibar.
17:42Let's bring in Owen Hargreaves, he's a lot closer to the pitch than we are.
17:47He's a lot closer to the pitch than we are, and I'm told that you've been purring up here, Ali,
17:51but I think Ali's been purring just as much about some of the balls from Martin Urdegaard tonight, Owen.
17:56The first touch, you know, to take away from the defender and then play the ball in.
18:00Ali mentioned maybe he's second-best Jokka rest, but the weight of it's perfect.
18:04It allows him to go attack it, body the defender.
18:06But Martin Urdegaard, he's proven a point today.
18:08He's playing a little bit deeper.
18:09Marino's popping up a bit higher, but his touch and his passing has been exquisite in his first 15 minutes.
18:16Thanks, Owen.
18:16And it's a point that's worth making, though.
18:18They've got a lot of options in that position now.
18:20They've got Eze, they've got Wannery, they've got Urdegaard.
18:22He's not guaranteed a place if he's not playing well, so he needs to do what he's doing tonight.
18:27Darren, that's why I took the criticism that levelled at Mikel Arteta about team selection against Manchester City
18:34with a complete and utter pinch of salt.
18:37He's got so many options now.
18:39Now, fans will have their own favourites, and I get it, but in the grand scheme of things,
18:44that particular game, people were getting upset about one player,
18:48and it was Eze, actually, whether he should have started or not.
18:51And do you know something?
18:52He probably could have and should have, but look at that bench.
18:55It's like a who's who.
18:59And there's that wonderfully talented 15-year-old on the bench as well, Max Dowman.
19:04If he gets on tonight, he'll be the only 15-year-old who ever played in the Champions League,
19:08so you'd like to think that's possible.
19:10Monaco 0-Manchester City 1, Erling Haaland has scored again.
19:14He's what the start of the season he's had.
19:16Yeah.
19:17And his goal here as well, I've got to say Haaland's goal is superb here.
19:24A little flick there by Martinelli, now Martinelli, the guard are still moving again.
19:28It's Trossard.
19:34Martinelli just denied that.
19:36Good defending by Francisco Ortega.
19:38I can't think Zuby Mendy now back in possession.
19:41I'm just thinking, I'm looking at Pocares, Darren,
19:45and I'm just wondering if he's looking at both full-backs,
19:48and when the ball's in a wide area,
19:50you'd be thinking about dropping onto the opposite full-back for the height advantage.
19:57Lovely turn by Luis Skellig.
20:00It was late on Marino by Costinia.
20:03Erdogan made the run, it's gone it's left down to the Arsenal goal scorer.
20:16Here's Ben White.
20:17Erdogan, lovely first touch from Erdogan,
20:20and Jokeres just beaten to it by Salakic.
20:24Is it real, does this feel like how many?
20:26Oh, absolutely.
20:28I mean, if they keep this going, it'll be remarkable.
20:33Well, what a standard they've set at the opening.
20:3617 minutes, it's been remarkable.
20:39If Arsenal win tonight,
20:41they'll win their first two games of a Champions League season
20:43for the first time in 12 years,
20:45and form certainly with them.
20:46They've won their last 13 games at home in Europe
20:49and kept a clean sheet in 10 of them.
20:51The flip side, Olympiacos have lost their last 10 away games
20:54in the Champions League all the way back to 2015.
20:58So I suppose it's going to form
20:59in the opening 18 minutes here in North London.
21:08Here's a little line for you.
21:09So Steve Bunce is a big Arsenal fan that he's watching tonight,
21:11and he tells me that 30% of Arsenal's fans are Greek.
21:16The biggest Greek community outside of Athens
21:18is in North London.
21:19So he said this is essentially a home game for Olympiacos
21:22in many ways tonight.
21:23Fascinating.
21:24He's always got a line for you, Buncey.
21:25He's some boy, Buncey, I tell you.
21:29I had a few things written down,
21:30but I didn't have that one down, Buncey.
21:31Nor me.
21:32Nor me.
21:34We must work harder next time.
21:36Enjoy the match, Steve.
21:41Here's Martins.
21:42Goes back now to Retsos.
21:50Ortega.
21:51Now Pirola.
22:02More, more, more, more, more!
22:06There's Gelsen Martins, just dropping into that number 10 position,
22:12finding a bit of space.
22:13And it goes down to Cicchino with the cross.
22:19Podence coming in.
22:19Podence coming in, what to say?
22:20Oh, that's outstanding from David Ryan.
22:25He must have thought he'd scored when the ball left his foot, Daniel Podence.
22:30I tell you what, it's a brilliant move.
22:31It really is a fantastic move from start to finish.
22:34Podence comes across, and it's an absolutely wonderful save, Darren.
22:41How he gets that left arm up and puts that over the bar is something else.
22:45But it's amazing, Arsenal have totally dominated the game, but in the small little bits of possession
22:51that Olympiacos have had, you can see they look lively and they're comfortable on the ball.
22:57What a move, what a save.
22:58So Pirola and Retsos have gone forward for the Daniel Podence corner.
23:08Which is blocked behind for another one.
23:10Monaco have equalised, by the way, so Monaco 1, Manchester City 1 in the Principality.
23:16So the Haaland goal didn't keep the lead for very long.
23:21It's worth mentioning that cross as well, Cicchino got his foot round it.
23:25Brilliant move all round.
23:28Short again, the same variation, and then flicked on by Pirola.
23:38Aster able to deal with it.
23:40Now the counter-attack, well and truly on.
23:42And if Barty now he got his head up, he could have just rolled it across to Victor Jokeres.
23:46First thing he's got to do, a little bit more awareness.
23:49He just needs to hit it with his right foot, straight into Jokeres' path, and he's straight through.
23:53That'd have been a classic counter.
23:55Not sure he knew he was there, though, Dan.
23:57Just on David Reier after the save, I mean, he kept as many clean sheets as anybody in the Premier League last season.
24:02Golden club for the last two years.
24:04He's as good as anybody in that position in our game right now.
24:07I don't disagree.
24:09You know, and also I think that the injured goalkeeper at Liverpool, Alisson, have a similar level.
24:16But you're talking about David Reier, 100%.
24:18100%.
24:19And it wasn't so long ago we were having a conversation about whether it was the right decision to bring him.
24:23I remember the night they lost to Bayern Munich here in the Champions League and he made a mistake, didn't he?
24:28And a lot of questions are being asked at that point.
24:31Certainly has matured and developed into a very, very good number one here for Arsenal.
24:36Erdogan, he started off fantastically back in the Arsenal starting line-up tonight.
24:55Lovely ball.
24:56Beautiful.
24:57I mean, fair play to Olympia, because they are trying to press high up the pitch, but Arsenal's passing 22 minutes or so has been wonderful.
25:13Mikel Arteta is going to take charge of his 300th Arsenal game on Saturday against West Ham.
25:17He's very much in the discussion to win the Champions League this season, the Premier League as well.
25:33I think it's fair to say that any excuse is gone now, because they've got the players to win a Premier League now,
25:40they've got the players to win a Champions League, the depth and qualities here.
25:43Better believe it.
25:44It's a good ball as well for Trossard, he's stayed down here, Jokeres, so Marino's filled the void in the middle.
26:00Now Martin Erdegaard.
26:05Fizzed in by Ben White, that was a lovely ball, it was well defended in there actually by Olympia Arcos.
26:09It was Kostinia who got over there, now they're going to take a quick look at Victor Jokeres.
26:15I actually thought Arsenal might have put the ball out themselves there, there's an opportunity to do that.
26:20When one of your own is down, I think players are sometimes quick enough to moan when the opposition don't do it.
26:25Should probably take the option to put that out there.
26:27He's looked lively, Jokeres, I've got to say.
26:29I must say, I felt that when he ran into him there.
26:31That was a collision.
26:33Yeah.
26:35You might have run into a linebacker rather than a central defender there, Kostinia.
26:40Let's have a look at this save again.
26:42Look at that.
26:44Chiquinho, a beautiful pass, and what he does, Bordense, he just comes away from the defender.
26:49He runs away from the goal, and a straight line.
26:52Out of Ben White's angle, he can't see him, and it's too late, meets it perfectly.
26:57All he's attempting to do there, Fletcher's just hit the target, and he does it.
27:02He gets enough pace on it, enough velocity on it, but it's a great save.
27:10So the big man's back up and about again.
27:13Three goals so far for Arsenal.
27:17Scored six and eight in the Champions League for Sporting Lisbon last season,
27:20including that hat-trick against Manchester City.
27:30Looks as though the option here for Ben White is the long one,
27:33so he's going to wait for Gabriel.
27:37And it's going to fall here for Mourinho.
27:40And the offside flag up against Arsenal in the end.
27:44That'd have been interesting, because I actually thought when he took the throw in,
27:47he had one foot in the pitch, so just have a look at it.
27:49I think he does, actually, doesn't he?
27:53No harm done.
28:03They're just looking at a potential penalty, which lasted about two minutes,
28:06and I did warn you that Soren Storks looks at everything hoisted.
28:09It goes towards Victor Jokeres, that's headed away by Lorenzo Pirola.
28:19Lovely touch around the corner from Martinelli,
28:21and Jokeres was trying to return the compliment there.
28:23Yeah.
28:23Offside flag up.
28:25Should probably have taken it in there, Jokeres.
28:30Yellow card for the Olympiakos manager,
28:32Jose Luis Mentilipa.
28:37We saw Jose get one last night as well, didn't we?
28:40I just think sometimes the referees just need to calm down a little bit,
28:42never mind the coach, he's calming down.
28:44Wasn't he in good form last night, Jose?
28:46Brilliant.
28:46Brilliant it was.
28:48As you were expecting.
28:49A terrific welcome.
28:51Well deserved too.
28:52There's the Olympiakos owner, Evangilos Marinakis.
29:04It's a big couple of days for him
29:05because Forrest played Michelin in the Europa League tomorrow night.
29:08He's the owner of both clubs.
29:16Here he is, right at the back.
29:19He's already lost here this season with Forrest.
29:22That's Kostakovich's first game in charge.
29:24He's owned Olympiakos since 2010
29:26and since then they've won ten titles,
29:29six Greek cups and their first ever European trophy.
29:31That's a free kick.
29:33Sorry mate, that's a free kick.
29:34I don't care what him that says.
29:35Retsos is just holding Jokeres back
29:38and he's making no attempt to play the ball
29:40and he's just preventing them from running through
29:42and the referee's got a good view of it.
29:43It's a free kick all day.
29:47I just feel I had to get that off my chest there.
29:52I realise that.
29:54Mr Marinakis will be happy.
29:55I was just telling everybody about his success.
30:01He's better skill again.
30:03They've got a little bit, haven't they?
30:05They have got a little bit.
30:06The front boys.
30:07Yeah.
30:07El Cabe, Podence, Chiquinho, Martin.
30:10They've got Mediterranean on the bench as well.
30:12Yeah.
30:14Easy in the eye.
30:15Very easy in the eye.
30:16Very experienced in European terms.
30:19And the centre-backs have gone forward again.
30:28Lorenzo, Pirola, Panas, Yotis.
30:30Retsos.
30:31Keep an eye on El Cabe as well.
30:35It's not a bad ball either.
30:37Headed back in there by Retsos
30:39and taken by David Ryan.
30:41A decent delivery though from Chiquinho.
30:43That's a foul.
30:48Clever play, isn't it?
30:51He knows the ball's behind him
30:52and he just stands his ground.
30:53He knows the defender's going to run into him.
30:55Gets a free kick.
30:56Watch, he just stops.
30:56There he goes.
30:58Perfect.
31:00Castinha right into the back.
31:01He won't get the free kick.
31:10It's a lot more even now, though, isn't it?
31:11In terms of possession.
31:13Settled down, Olympiacos.
31:15It's conceding the goal.
31:18It's two of the cross
31:19despite the touch to Gabriele Martinelli.
31:28Gabriele.
31:30Mikel Moreno.
31:32On it goes to Leandro Tossard.
31:37First time from Luis Skelly.
31:40Away by Pirola.
31:41And then by El Carbi.
31:46Tossard manages to get the other side of Martins.
31:49The lead will not be given a second there by El Carbi.
32:16This is Martin Zubimendi.
32:22Saliba now to Ben White.
32:24They flick from Martinelli, but that's cleared out of play.
32:30I think what is fascinating about the make-up of the Arsenal squad,
32:33they've got different types of players for each position.
32:35Look at Ben White at right-back.
32:37He's different to Yuri.
32:38Lewis Skelly's different to Califiori.
32:40Yeah.
32:41You think about the blend they've got at centre-back now as well.
32:43They pretty much can cater for anything.
32:45I think that's a very valid point.
32:48Declan, of course, gives you something as well as does Saka.
32:52Can you imagine if they decide to play Havertz back to the middle over Jokeres?
32:55You've got an alternative there as well, haven't you?
32:57Of course you have.
33:02Spanish composure in the Arsenal box, Zubimendi to Davin Ryan.
33:11That's Martin Erdegaard.
33:12Big to Jokeres up the way, and he's in behind them, and this is where he thrives.
33:19Jokeres on the run, that's outstanding defending by Pirola.
33:23Because when he was at Sporting Lisbon, more often than not, he scored from that position.
33:27I wouldn't have done it myself, but I think he's got to square it to Martinelli.
33:31What about the pass?
33:32That is incredible.
33:35Now, the ball is an immediate pass, I think, to Martinelli.
33:39I can understand he wants to score, I get it.
33:43But I think Martinelli would agree with me.
33:45Yeah.
33:46That's his domain, though, isn't it?
33:48Ticking the ball up a bit way inside the opposition half and...
33:50Yeah, I've got to say.
33:51...making things take care of themselves.
33:53I think there's a man down there, pitch-side with Torren again.
33:56Owen Hargreaves.
33:57Because that was different class, that pass.
34:06This is Mikel Marino.
34:08He's popped up here, there and everywhere tonight.
34:10Erdegaard as well.
34:11He was more central, slightly towards the left when he played the last pass.
34:14Now he's back on the inside right position.
34:17This is Leandro Troffard cutting in and hitting one block by the defender.
34:23And then cleared away by Ortega.
34:25And it's Marino.
34:29Erdegaard.
34:30Chance to shoot for the Arsenal captain.
34:32Didn't quite break in there for Jokeres and Ortega was needed again.
34:35It always looked like he was going to be a foul.
34:43It was as if he thought about it, he didn't.
34:45He had a lot to think about it, did.
34:47Planzo on the take, say it.
34:51Yeah, probably as a free kick, isn't it?
34:52The right arms across his chest.
34:58What a pass that is.
34:59I've got to say, it's a wonderful, wonderful pass.
35:02Who was the best passer you've played with?
35:07Oh.
35:09Wilkins would come out of the equation.
35:11Yeah.
35:12Well, we're here with...
35:13Gascoigne.
35:14Oh, Gascoigne was brilliant.
35:15Gascoigne was fantastic.
35:19Rake had passed the ball as well, mate.
35:20Certain players in the game that you see that have got every pass.
35:28It's like the golfer that's got every shot.
35:33His leg comes over the chop, doesn't it?
35:36Yeah.
35:40Don't think it's got to be that high, actually,
35:42to unfortunately hit Daniel Poe dancing ahead.
35:46Size of the V-man.
35:47Well, don't forget, we've got match day two of the Europa League.
35:51Every game live on Thursday from five o'clock on TNT Sports.
35:55And the Conference League as well on Thursday.
35:57Every game live in that competition from five o'clock as well.
36:01Eight British and Irish teams in action on Thursday
36:04across the competitions, TNT Sports and Discovery Plus.
36:09For both of them, you are happy again.
36:11I just...
36:12One of the guys range of passing.
36:14You know, he's probably ten yards short of that one,
36:15but his awareness of where people are,
36:19particularly in wider areas when the ball comes into them,
36:22is remarkable.
36:25I've not heard you who and are like this quite so often.
36:28No, I don't want to get carried away,
36:30but I'm really enjoying Arsenal with this moment in time.
36:33I can tell.
36:33And do you know something,
36:34Olympiac is something bad when they get the ball in forward areas either.
36:36Very open, the game is what I'm trying to say.
36:40That wasn't a bad first time goal by Saliba either.
36:42Here's Martin Odegaard.
36:44Little ball down the line now to Martinelli.
36:48Feels like Arsenal deserve a second goal.
36:50Ben White on the overlap, Martinelli's cross.
36:53Did that take a touch?
36:55Yeah, it's going to be a corner.
36:56Costini got the last touch.
36:57I've actually stopped mentioning how good Arsenal are at corners.
37:13We all know now, don't we?
37:16I've written it down.
37:18Remarkable amount of goals, isn't it?
37:20Dear me.
37:20Right in front of the vociferous bunch of Olympiakos supporters.
37:41So Fossard takes it.
37:44And that should have been 2-0.
37:46And Gabriel can't believe he didn't score.
37:48Has he given a free kick to Olympiakos?
37:51I think he has.
37:51He has, yeah.
37:53I must say, I just paused there
37:55because I was just waiting for the ball to hit the back of the net.
37:57I think a defender does incredibly well.
37:59Is it Costini at the back post?
38:02It's on the goalkeeper.
38:03The foul's on the goalkeeper.
38:05It's Saliba on the goalkeeper.
38:06Backing in.
38:10Yep, defender does well to put Gabriel off.
38:13He's backing in to him, isn't he?
38:18It's on the way by Martin Zubimendi.
38:30He scored that brilliant goal here on the volley against Forrest.
38:34Martinelli's done really well.
38:36Tight space.
38:37Brazilian flair for the Arsenal goalscorer.
38:39Now Martin Erdegaard.
38:40Skips away from Podence.
38:46And then Solakis, the goalkeeper, beating Jokeres to it.
38:50He's getting buffeted from pillar to post the Arsenal centre-forward, you know.
38:54I know.
38:54I know.
38:57I'm enjoying his performance.
38:58Just caught, mate.
39:16Martin Erdegaard, the lead time.
39:19It's with Cecchino.
39:21Now Daniel Podence.
39:22It's a good ball into a good area.
39:26And El Cabe was attacking it.
39:28Goes back to the point you made that they don't get in that position very often.
39:32But when they do, there tends to be quality at the end of it from Olympiacos.
39:35They have mentioned it earlier.
39:36They've got quality, particularly in forward areas.
39:39That's a good delivery in.
39:40And he is a willing runner.
39:43El Cabe, who's record incidentally in European competition in terms of goals is fantastic.
39:50Well, his record for Olympiacos in general, 63 in 101 games.
39:54Two seasons ago when they won the conference league, you got 34 in all competitions.
40:01So the pedigree is there.
40:03The ability to score goals is certainly there.
40:06Just on Martin Erdegaard, because you've spoken a lot about him,
40:09he's had the most touches tonight, 33.
40:11The most chances created, three.
40:13And the most passes in the final third of any player so far.
40:17He hasn't stopped.
40:19Dardney has not stopped.
40:23Here he is again, just popping one out to Ben White.
40:30Here's Joss Ardern, now Martin Erdegaard, central position, lifted in,
40:34but that's going to be the goalkeepers.
40:35What I do like about him tonight, I've been at Arsenal a lot,
40:38when he's played almost inside right for the whole game.
40:40Saka on that side with him, and a lot of the time Ben White,
40:43and he's never really moved.
40:44But tonight he's got the licence to go where he wants to play.
40:46And they're finding it really hard to find him, aren't they, Olympiakos?
40:51And it's exactly what you want.
40:52Somebody with that quality in terms of your vision, his range of passing.
40:56You effectively want to get him a free reign, don't you?
40:58There's William Saliba, Danny Garcia.
41:12Martinelli, a fraction too sharp there for Santiago Hezze.
41:15The point goes from Gelson Martins, and Gabriel just making sure.
41:25As he composed over there from Lewis Skelly, he was rattled into him.
41:29It's not the best of passes though by Gabriel, it's with Daniel Podence.
41:35And now the right-back, Costinia, made his Champions League debut on match day one.
41:41Looks to take on Miles Lewis Skelly, and wraps his foot around it.
41:44Daniel Podence couldn't control it.
41:46Didn't expect it.
41:48It's a really good ball.
41:49Ah, Costinia does exceptionally well.
41:51That's two balls in from that right-hand side.
41:53Cicchino with the first one, and Costinia with the second one.
41:57Excellent balls.
41:58I just think he's on his heels.
42:00He expects Ben White to take a touch, doesn't he?
42:02Certainly got a flick on it with his head, which he didn't do.
42:07It's not the first Costinia that we've had, is he, down the years?
42:10We're the one at Porto.
42:11Very much holding the field play, wasn't he, Costinia?
42:14Did he not score like a goal against Manchester United?
42:16I think he did.
42:16That led to the mud on the knees for Jose on the famous night.
42:23Yeah, I've thought that myself, actually.
42:42Just wants a word here, the referee, which gives me a chance to tell you about the Premier League match at the weekend.
42:46Leeds against Tottenham, 11 o'clock.
42:48We start with early kick-off.
42:49The game kicks off at half-past 12.
42:51TNT Sports 1.
42:53And Discovery Plus.
42:54And Gallagher Premier Rugby continues this weekend as well.
42:56Every match live from round two on TNT Sports and Discovery Plus.
43:00It all kicks off on Friday with Bath against Sale at 7 o'clock.
43:04And you can see that game on TNT Sports 1.
43:09That's Bath and Ali, and not both, as I said last week.
43:12Here's Victor Jokeres, cut it back inside!
43:14And they can't find the target.
43:16Feels like he'll get him on tonight.
43:19Yeah, it's a great pass to him again, isn't it?
43:21He's moving, but it's good.
43:24Does everything right apart from hitting the target, which is arguably the most important thing.
43:29Lovely little ball this.
43:31Outside the right foot, isn't it?
43:32Terrific pass.
43:33That turns great, gives him his little bit of space.
43:36And once he does that, he should be hitting the target.
43:40I'll tell you what, they've looked great, haven't they?
43:47Absolutely.
43:47I mean, the only thing that's missing is more goals, more than the one they've got.
43:51Everything else has been really good.
43:57Here's Erdegaard.
43:57If he's doing the winning back as well now, then it's the complete performance.
44:01And the feet were twinkling there, wasn't it?
44:02He's unlucky.
44:03That's what he did, quick ball as well, yeah.
44:06It's Gabriel Martinelli.
44:08It's Leandro Trossard, and it's over the top.
44:11Offside flag anyway, I think.
44:20Again, they've been really bright down the right-hand side here.
44:24Just meets it on the half volley just as it bounces.
44:28Tries to redirect it back across the face there.
44:31You get the impression that there's certainly a message being sent to Mikel Arteta by his captain tonight,
44:40that he shouldn't have any thoughts about leaving him out in the foreseeable future,
44:44unless he's injured.
44:47Agree with you, but I bet you all at some point.
44:49He's even stepping in and winning it back every five minutes as well now.
44:56He's done everything out there tonight, apart from score.
45:02He's a lovely footballer to watch when he's in this kind of form, isn't he?
45:05Great touch, great balance, range of passing we've spoke about.
45:13He'll have heard it though, Ali, as well.
45:16You know, the whisper as well, as he's here now,
45:17and when he's on the way, and what does the future look like for Martin Erlegaard?
45:21Yeah, I think you make a very valid and good point.
45:24They're under pressure now to perform.
45:28Certainly a greater pressure.
45:29They're always under pressure, of course they're under pressure to perform,
45:31but when you look at that Sops bench that we did...
45:35Absolutely.
45:37Chessard dropping back in, what do you think?
45:39They played 60-plus for Ezzet,
45:42one Aries seen as a player for the future,
45:44and Max Downman is on the bench as well.
45:46They think he might be the best of all of them, eventually,
45:49in that Erlegaard position, so...
45:52They've got a cue.
45:56I think he'll be one-set on the bench, certainly hoping for a goal or two.
45:59As he come up, I think he'll have a better chance to get an on if he goes two.
46:03Yeah, absolutely.
46:04We'd love to see Max Downman make a bit of Champions League history tonight.
46:0715-year-old has never played in the competition.
46:13Erlegaard beaten to it there by Danny Garcia,
46:16and then pulled back towards El Cavi,
46:17and it didn't quite work out, but again,
46:19and then he's gone over in the box,
46:21referee says he got the ball.
46:23Obviously, Soren Storch will take a look.
46:25In the meantime, Arsenal will come forward through Ben White,
46:28and now Mikel Moreno.
46:30I just wonder, I just wonder if El Cavi goes the other side of Saliba there.
46:34He goes behind them, if he goes in front of him, I think he gets a finish.
46:38Well, the interesting thing, it's not come up on the screen as a potential penalty check,
46:42so they're obviously quite happy with that.
46:44He's checked everything else.
46:45I wonder if he's nipped off for a cup of tea.
46:47That's your man's reckon.
46:48They are doing it now, right on cue.
46:49There we go, potential penalty check on the screen.
46:51I think he's just dashed back into the booth.
46:56That's a free kick.
46:58Check over, it's fine, so Arsenal fans can breathe a sigh of relief.
47:02Let's have a look.
47:04Yeah, no problem.
47:06No, not at all.
47:11Gets it there.
47:12I would suggest that that was a wasted check there from Mr Stocks.
47:17Yeah.
47:31Launched forward by Pirola.
47:34Killed away by Ben White.
47:37Just landed awkwardly there, Ben White.
47:38So they're just down to ten at the moment, Arsenal.
47:42And it's going to be brought back here for an Olympiacos free kick
47:45after Cecchino failed to find a way through.
47:52Would you be surprised if I told you that Erling Haaland scored again?
47:55Manchester City 2-1 up in Monaco.
47:58He's a machine, that fella, isn't he?
48:00I mean, he had a bit of a down season last season
48:02in terms of the output.
48:03One or two injuries.
48:04I mean, he's back to the season before
48:06where you thought he was going to score 100 by Christmas.
48:08How many did he score like...
48:09He started off ridiculous.
48:10Was he not well in his 20s last year?
48:12Yes, he was.
48:12But I mean, when you get to 50 of that kind of race a season before,
48:16do you see what I mean?
48:17You are, I take a point.
48:18There's a level of criticism being levelled up now.
48:24Says the former two-time European Golden Boot winner to my right.
48:27Very much the chairman, managing director of the strikers' union.
48:30And the red and white shirts are quickly forward,
48:43but he couldn't quite lift it over the top again, could he, Martinelli?
48:47That's a free kick to Arsenal for a challenge on Mourinho.
48:50And we've also got Ortega down as well.
49:04There's Mendelebar, who's only known success in recent seasons.
49:10He won the Europa League with Sevilla in 2023,
49:12then the Conference League with Olympiacos in 2024,
49:14then the League and Cup double last season.
49:18So he's on a roll.
49:20I'll give him that.
49:21Yeah.
49:23That poor wee coach is getting a right earful there, right enough.
49:26Do you remember when he won the Europa League with Sevilla?
49:29They then played the Super Cup against Manchester City
49:31and then pretty much sold his entire team the week after.
49:34Correct. That's right.
49:34Yeah.
49:35And he got the sack.
49:36Yeah.
49:46Final few seconds of the first half,
49:48and then White's not going to keep that in.
49:52I think you'd give Olympiacos a lot of credit here for staying in the game.
49:56Well, I'm going to say something to you.
49:58You could actually make an argument that they're unlucky not again, won't you?
50:01Yeah, absolutely.
50:02Because of that chance that Podence had when David Reyes saved it.
50:07But the only goal tonight has been scored by Gavriel Martinelli.
50:11Victor Jokeres did all the hard work, held off two defenders.
50:13The ball came back off the post
50:15and Martinelli scored his third goal of the season.
50:18Martin Odegaard has been outstanding.
50:19Some of Arsenal's passing has been brilliant.
50:21Half-time analysis to come from Martin Keown and Owen Hargreaves
50:25alongside Laura Woods.
50:26Half-time here at the Emirates.
50:28It's Arsenal 1, Olympiacos 0.
50:32Also, after was it completed,
50:34I think Charlie didn't finish the Blue Moon because of the Premier League
50:37of Europe during Winter War.
50:38On this week we will take a 2nd month of evolved history.
50:41And after this month I made a difference,
50:43it was the motive for Youth War.
50:43We will find a deal in bright times in the Charlie Chafert.
50:44After this week, since the first day it was the only in theth5000's
50:48System.
50:49It was about the film and the補充 time nosotros as an creamy concept of
50:50German chickpeas.
50:52Nancy Lee was elected to cover iets on a legacy.
50:55Many judges have been successful in when the half of November
50:57that has been afeeding trial that have been out of its honor.
50:58But the audiences are currently on Katie Shelton's team
Recommended
55:08
|
Up next
1:44:06
1:44:32
59:49
52:30
59:56
1:40:44
55:54
59:36
55:17
Be the first to comment