Source: SKY_Sports
Gunners grind down Greeks
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Late goals from Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin handed Arsenal a deserved victory over Olympiakos in the UEFA Champions League at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.[LNB] The Gunners, who won their opening game of Group H a fortnight ago, looked set for a frustrating evening despite dominating their clash versus the Greek champions, only for Van Persie to net a vital opener in the 78th minute.[LNB]Arsene Wenger's side were well on top in the first half but were guilty of profligacy in front of goal as 37-year-old goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis kept them at bay.[LNB]But, after Wenger sent on the likes of Eduardo and Carlos Vela, Van Persie netted from close range before a cheeky flick from an offside-looking Arshavin wrapped up a late victory.[LNB]ScareArsenal had opened their European campaign away to Standard Liege - where they trailed 2-0 inside five minutes before battling back to a morale-boosting victory.[LNB]The Gunners, though, showed no signs of any such repeat on Tuesday as Olympiakos were immediately pushed onto the defensive.[LNB]Full-back Gael Clichy, who came through the Arsenal youth ranks under the watchful eye of Wenger, broke down the left and cut the ball across for Arshavin, whose sidefoot shot was gathered by Nikopolidis in a sign of things to come for the Greek goalkeeper.[LNB]On 16 minutes, captain Cesc Fabregas rattled the crossbar from 18 yards, with Nikopolidis then producing a fine reaction save to keep out Thomas Rosicky's fierce angled drive.[LNB]Olympiakos sat deep and Arshavin tested Nikopolidis again before William Gallas almost connected with Van Persie's corner.[LNB]Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone - outstanding in the 1-0 Premier League win over Fulham on Saturday - finally had something to do after 34 minutes when he comfortably collected a header from Vassilis Torosidis.[LNB]Olympiakos skipper Nikopolidis was having a busy night, as he had to touch behind a deep, in-swinging free-kick from Fabregas.[LNB]Abou Diaby, eight yards out, headed wide following the corner.[LNB]Arsenal were almost made to pay for not taking their chances at the start of the second half when former Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg headed a corner down towards the near post - which Mannone parried.[LNB]From the quick counter-attack, Van Persie forced Nikopolidis to make another good save, before picking up a yellow card when he clattered into defender Michal Zewlakow chasing the loose ball.[LNB]As the hour mark passed, Arsenal maintained their pressure.[LNB]Centre-back Thomas Vermaelen - the top scorer so far with four goals - just failed to direct his far-post header on target following Van Persie's deep free-kick.[LNB]Wenger made a change with 24 minutes left when he introduced Eduardo - free to play after Uefa's two-match diving ban was overturned on appeal - for Rosicky.[LNB]Olympiakos continued to sit back and invite pressure, but all too often Arsenal's final delivery was poor, much to the frustration of the Emirates Stadium faithful.[LNB]DeadlockArshavin turned quickly to release Van Persie into the left side of the penalty area.[LNB]His angled drive was blocked by Nikopolidis but Gallas could not get the rebound out from under his feet, as the goalkeeper once again denied Arsenal, although the assistant's flag was raised anyway.[LNB]Nikopolidis was inspired as he saved at full stretch from Diaby, before the midfielder was replaced by Vela - a move to inject some pace into the attack.[LNB]The goal finally came on 78 minutes, when Eduardo darted into the box to collect Fabregas' pass, before cutting the ball back to Van Persie, who this time swept it into the net.[LNB]Arshavin made sure of the result when he back-heeled in Fabregas' low centre, despite looking suspiciously offside.[LNB]While there is still much work to do before this side can genuinely claim to live with those built around Tony Adams, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry, Wenger's young Gunners continue to give the wise old manager reason to be positive for the future.[LNB][LNB]ArsenalTeam StatisticsOlympiakos2Goals001st Half Goals011Shots on Target28Shots off Target47Blocked Shots210Corners313Fouls182Offsides02Yellow Cards40Red Cards084.1Passing Success69.222Tackles3481.8Tackles Success70.666.4Possession33.663Territorial Advantage37
