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Olympiacos vs Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners finish strong in Europa League clash to atone for poor error

Mikel Arteta’s side were 3-1 winners in Greece, with Gabriel and Mohamed Elneny scoring crucial late goals

Alex Pattle
Thursday 11 March 2021 22:04 GMT
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Martin Odegaard (right) opened the scoring in the last-16 first leg
Martin Odegaard (right) opened the scoring in the last-16 first leg (Getty Images)

Olympiacos

Jose Sa – 6: Produced a phenomenal save early on to tip Aubameyang’s deflected header onto the woodwork. Should have done better with Odegaard’s goal, however, as powerful as the strike was.

Kenny Lala – 6: Frequently looked to get forward on the right for Olympiacos.

Yann M’Vila – 7: Distributed the ball well from the back and put his body on the line when needed.

READ MORE: Milan strike late to secure first-leg draw against United

Sokratis – 6: Former Gunner put in a decent shift for the home team.

Oleg Reabciuk – 5: Substituted at the break as Holebas came on.

Bruma – 6: One of the hosts’ livelier players here but without managing to conjure any clear chances. Replaced on the hour mark.

Andreas Bouchalakis – 7: Energetic and alert even in the latter stages of the game.

Giorgos Masouras – 5: Wasted a terrific chance to equalise after Luiz passed the ball straight to him in the Arsenal box.

Mohamed Mady Camara – 7: Was an important presence in the middle of the pitch, often in the right place at the right time.

Mathieu Valbuena – 6: Inoffensive outing from the former France international. Hooked at half-time.

Youssef El-Arabi – 7: Dispossessed Ceballos before taking his goal ruthlessly, with Leno ill-positioned to keep out the Olympiacos man. Subbed with 15 minutes remaining.

Substitutes: Jose Holebas – 7; Konstantinos Fortounis – 6; Lazar Randjelovic – 6; Ahmed Hassan – 6.

Arsenal

Dani Ceballos (left) was involved in Olympiacos’ goal but played well thereafter (AFP via Getty Images)

Bernd Leno – 4: Put Ceballos under pressure with the pass that led to Olympiacos’ equaliser.

Hector Bellerin – 7: Composed showing on the right from the defender, who was involved with many of his team’s forward moves.

Gabriel Magalhaes – 7: Largely untroubled at the back and decent on the ball. Rose highest to head home the winner powerfully.

David Luiz – 5: Almost gifted Olympiacos a goal by passing the ball straight to Masouras in the Arsenal box.

Kieran Tierney – 7: Lively on the left and provided numerous dangerous deliveries for his team-mates.

Thomas Partey – 6: Solid presence in the centre for the Gunners. Replaced by Ceballos shortly before the hour mark as a precaution.

Granit Xhaka – 6: Little to criticise in the case of the Switzerland international.

Martin Odegaard – 7: Overcame a sloppy start, which included a horribly scuffed shot, to score his first Arsenal goal with a powerful long-range strike.

Willian – 7: Hard-working and crossed well for Gabriel’s winner.

Bukayo Saka – 7: Didn’t put a foot wrong, making some fine tackles and exerting plenty of energy going forward.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 6: Striker’s deflected header was tipped onto the frame of the goal early on by Sa. Unlucky not to score in that moment.

Substitutes: Dani Ceballos – 5; Mohamed Elneny – 7; Emile Smith Rowe – 6; Alexandre Lacazette – N/A.

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