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SPORTS BET NEWS UPDATE – Arsenal continued to show their Champions League edge as they sent visiting Greek champions Olympiakos off to a losing bout. The hosts redeemed themselves after disappointing first-half performances as goals streamed towards late game to end the match 3-1.
Arsenal’s fragile defence provided hazardous chances for Olympiakos in the first half, with unimpressive showings from Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen. Manager Arsene Wenger revealed that his side has not yet recovered from their Chelsea defeat last Sunday.
Keeper Vito Mannone committed a startling error as his side lost possession after failing to pass the ball to Vermaelen. Santi Cazorla sought to compensate by attempting to score for Arsenal, but the Spanish playmaker’s free kick missed the back of the net.
Koscielny’s foul on Paulo Machado prompted his name to land on the books. The Olympiakos midfielder, awarded the penalty, failed to get past through Mannone’s save. Koscielny then received an undue challenge from Kostas Mitroglou, prompting him to take charge of a penalty that did not get in.
Gervinho opened scoring for Arsenal after becoming the receiving end of a fine passing stint between Lukas Podolski and Cazorla. Mitroglou equalized for Olympiakos shortly before half time after heading an assist from Leandro Greco.
With the first half looking lacklustre for Arsenal, pressure to heighten attack in the next half grew. Gervinho aggressively assisted Cazorla, who hungrily fired towards the enemy woodwork but went wide.
The lead came shortly after Gervinho, appearing relentless for a win, backed Podolski who played past through rival keeper Balazs Megyeri to blaze right through the net. Theo Walcott, substituting Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, closely amplified the lead through a volley that ended in a save.
Olivier Giroud sought to make an impact for Arsenal, but Dimitris Siovas stopped his attempt. Aaron Ramsey scored his side’s final goal on extra time through a penalty-box effort.
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Photo credits:
Arsenal vs. Olympiakos [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 04 October 2012, from < http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/CZd6F8HGEDS/Arsenal+FC+v+Olympiacos+FC+UEFA+Champions/6dU5DUA2STC/Giannis+Maniatis >