Olympiakos 1 Arsenal: Leonardo has last word to ruin night for young Guns

10 December 2009 00:36
[LNB]Arsene Wenger is meticulous when it comes to Arsenal's youngsters being schooled in the same way as their senior team-mates. [LNB]There was plenty of evidence of the wisdom of that policy last night as the club's young record-breakers acquitted themselves admirably here against seasoned European campaigners in Olympiakos. [LNB]Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Fran Merida, already with first-team appearances to their names, did enough to suggest they might soon be playing with the big boys on a more regular basis. [LNB] Winner: Leonardo puts the ball through Fabianski's legs to score the game's only goal[LNB] Jack's the lad but Wilshere can play with the men, says Arsenal's SilvestreWenger open to offers for Wilshere, with Rangers, Celtic and Boro eyeing loanWenger jumps to Arshavin's defence as Russians probe booze allegationsBut for debutant defenders Tom Cruise and Kyle Bartley the step upproved a little too testing, although there was no disgrace in that. [LNB]For them it is back to the Steve Bould school of defending until thechance of Carling Cup action comes around again next season. [LNB]Wenger's selection policy meant his team was the youngest everfielded in the Champions League, even with the inclusion of 32-year-oldMikael Silvestre. [LNB] Welcome to the big league: 17-year-old Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere feels the full force of a tackle from Olympiakos goalscorer Leonardo[LNB][LNB]The Arsenal manager was rightly proud of their display.[LNB] 'For some players, from Barnet to Olympiakos was a big jump, but they did very well,' said Wenger. [LNB]'I am proud of the positive performance. These young players playexactly like the first team. Overall, we looked like a team who playevery week in this competition.' [LNB]A proper test against Olympiakos was an ideal opportunity for Wengerto assess which of his youngsters could be ready for more first-teamaction.[LNB] Ramsey reacts: The Arsenal midfielder almost equalised for the Gunners [LNB][LNB]There is no substitute for nights like this under the floodlights at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium.[LNB]The fanatical Olympiakos fans behind one goal booed and jeered the Arsenal side at every opportunity. [LNB]But the feisty reception did little to knock the Gunners out oftheir early stride as they carved out the first decent chance of thegame, Carlos Vela feeding Theo Walcott, who fired straight at keeperAntonis Nikopolidis. [LNB][LNB]Where Arsenal's lack of experience showed most was at the back, withBartley looking nervy despite the calming influence of Silvestre.[LNB] A breakdown in communication allowed Kostas Mitroglou carve out a shooting chance which he blasted over. [LNB]Arsenal were then caught on the break after Walcott sent a free-kickinto the wall. Leonardo raced down the left before crossing for LucianoGalletti, who shook off Cruise before volleying into the side-netting. [LNB]Several forays followed from Arsenal, with Ramsey sending a shot over and Alex Song following suit moments later. [LNB]But more nerves at the back brought the first half to a close, Merida earning a booking for a late tackle on Galletti. [LNB]Demanding: Wenger was determined to win in Athens[LNB][LNB]Despite Wenger's words of encouragement still being fresh in theirminds, Arsenal's resolve was broken just two minutes into the secondhalf. [LNB]Bartley showed his inexperience again, taking out Oscar Gonzalezwith a wild challenge, and the ball broke to Leonardo who outpaced Songand Silvestre before sliding a neat finish past keeper LukaszFabianski. [LNB]Arsenal spurned a great chance to level less than five minutes later. [LNB]Ramsey's run down the left was typically purposeful and his crossdeserved better than for Vela to fire an effort straight atNikopolidis. [LNB]Vela then sent another shot over after Merida picked him out with apeach of a ball. Kerrea Gilbert's lack of concentration allowedLeonardo another shooting chance, which Fabianski saved, and the Polishkeeper was called on again to deny Kostas Mitroglou. [LNB] Debut: Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley competes with Olympiakos' Dudu[LNB][LNB]With a minute remaining Ramsey went within a whisker of levellingwhen his toe-poke from Merida's corner was cleared of the line. [LNB] [LNB]'I expected to suffer more, frankly,' admitted Wenger.[LNB] 'Unfortunately, we got caught straight away coming out of the dressing room.' [LNB]The win saw the Greek champions through to the knockout stages along with Arsenal.[LNB] Jack's the lad but Wilshere can play with the men, says Arsenal's SilvestreWenger open to offers for Wilshere, with Rangers, Celtic and Boro eyeing loanWenger jumps to Arshavin's defence as Russians probe booze allegations [LNB] [LNB]  Explore more:People:Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Carlos Vela, Alex Song, Tom CruisePlaces:Liverpool, Athens, Greece

Source: Daily_Mail