A late goal from substitute Bukayo Saka finally sealed a 2-0 victory for Arsenal over a stubborn Olympiacos at the Emirates Stadium, making it two wins from two in the Champions League league phase .
Match Overview
In their first home Champions League fixture of the 2025-26 season, Arsenal dominated proceedings but were made to work hard for the three points by the Greek champions . The Gunners took an early lead but then missed a succession of chances to put the game to bed, with Olympiacos growing in confidence as the match wore on .
The victory, following a 2-0 win away at Athletic Club on Matchday One, leaves Arsenal with a perfect six points from their opening two games, firmly positioning them among the early frontrunners in the competition .
Match Report
Early Dominance and a Deserved Lead
Arsenal, showing six changes from the team that won at Newcastle United just three days prior, started with intense pressure and could have taken the lead within two minutes . A cross from the left found Gabriel Martinelli unmarked, but the Brazilian headed wide from an excellent position .
The early pressure told, however, and the breakthrough came in the 12th minute . Captain Martin Ødegaard played a superb throughball to send Viktor Gyökeres charging into the box . The Swedish striker showed immense strength to hold off two defenders before firing a shot that goalkeeper Kostas Tzolakis could only parry onto the post. The rebound fell kindly for Martinelli, who tapped into an empty net for his third goal of the season .
A Moment of Genius from Raya
The home side continued to press, but the momentum shifted momentarily in the 20th minute when Olympiacos created a clear-cut chance. A low cross from the right found former Wolves winger Daniel Podence, whose powerful volley from eight yards out seemed destined for the top corner . Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya reacted instinctively, flinging himself to his left to make a stunning one-handed save and push the ball over the bar—a stop widely hailed as a potential save of the season .
Missed Chances and Growing Tension
Arsenal should have extended their lead before halftime. Gyökeres, after being set up by Ødegaard again, fired over the bar . Later, Leandro Trossard first set up Gyökeres for a chance that was blasted over, and then skied his own effort from the edge of the box after being found by Martinelli . The pattern continued into the second half, with Trossard denied by a scrambling Tzolakis and a heroic goal-line block from Panagiotis Retsos after a fine team move involving the newly introduced Declan Rice .
As the second half progressed, the tension inside the Emirates grew. Olympiacos thought they had equalized when Ayoub El Kaabi turned in a rebound, but the offside flag came to Arsenal's rescue .
Saka Seals the Points
With the game on a knife-edge, manager Mikel Arteta turned to his bench, sending on Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze . The move paid dividends in the second minute of stoppage time. Ødegaard, the game's standout performer, found Saka in space inside the box, and the England winger fired his shot through the legs of Tzolakis to finally secure the 2-0 win and ease the palpable tension .
Key Takeaways
- Ødegaard's Masterclass: In his first start since returning from a shoulder injury, captain Martin Ødegaard delivered a phenomenal performance . He was at the heart of all of Arsenal's creative play, provided the assist for the second goal, and was instrumental in the build-up to the first . He was deservedly named the Man of the Match .
- Raya's Vital Contribution: While the outfield players missed chances, David Raya ensured Arsenal kept their clean sheet with a world-class save that proved to be a pivotal moment in the match .
- Strength in Depth: Arteta's ability to make six changes and still field a dominant side, while also having the luxury to bring on players of the calibre of Rice, Eze, and Saka, highlighted the significantly improved squad depth at his disposal this season .
Post-Match Reactions
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his satisfaction, saying, "Very happy with the win and the clean sheet against a very tough opponent... He [Ødegaard] was phenomenal. He influenced the game in a manner which is very important for us" . He also praised the squad's strength, noting the difference having experienced options on the bench makes compared to previous seasons .
Match-winner Bukayo Saka told TNT Sports, "It was nice to be back. I have missed it and I felt good, and it was a good win... That is what I want to do, especially with those forward players... That is my job, to create things for them" .
Looking Ahead
Arsenal now turn their attention back to the Premier League, where they host West Ham United at the Emirates on Saturday . Their next Champions League assignment is a heavyweight clash at home against Atlético Madrid on Tuesday, October 21 .
