Thursday, 29th September, 2011
Arsenal had to work hard to see off Greek champions Olympiacos at the Emirates Stadium last night.
The Gunners won 2-1, thanks to two early goals from two of the club’s summer signings.
18-year-old winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain handed Arsenal the advantage after just eight minutes, and that was followed up by Brazilian left back Andre Santos doubling their advantage after 20 minutes.
Olympiacos stuck back however when David Fuster headed home with 27 minutes on the clock. Neither side could find the net again though and 2-1 was how it finished.
"I think in the first 20-25 minutes we were really in it well", said Arsenal assistant boss Pat Rice, standing in for Arsene Wenger, who served the second of his two-match UEFA touchline ban.
"After that for about 15-20 minutes we maybe lost our way and they came back into it.
"Second half we had to knuckle down, fight and get our shape right which I thought we did better in the second half."
And Rice praised Olympiacos, stating he very much hopes that when the time comes to visit Greece the Gunners will have already qualified.
"I thought Olympiacos played very, very well and whenever we go over there to play, one would like to think we would have qualified."
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