Europa League, Arsenal gain crucial away win: Records broken
Arsenal sealed a crucial away win against Olympiakos in their Europa League round of 16 first leg clash. The 3-1 win gives Arsenal the desired momentum to reach the quarter-finals. Olympiakos tested the Gunners before two late goals swung the tides in the Premier League side's favor. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has called for his side to be more ruthless. Here are the details.
How did the match pan out?
Martin Odegaard's opener gave Arsenal a crucial lead in the 34th minute. However, Bernd Leno played substitute Dani Ceballos into trouble and Youssef El Arabi stroked in an equalizer in the 58th minute. And then, late goals from Gabriel and Mohamed Elneny saw Arsenal get the job done against the Greek side.
Arsenal maintain their unbeaten run, Willian shines
Arsenal have won eight of their nine Europa League games this season (D1), and are also the highest scorers in the competition so far (27 goals). Arsenal have also had the most different goal-scorers this season in the competition (15). Willian has provided more assists for Arsenal in all competitions than any other player this season (7). He has four assists in a row.
Unwanted record for Arsenal's Ceballos, Elneny's Europe bliss continues
As per Opta, No player has made more errors leading to a goal in the Europa League this season than Arsenal's Dani Ceballos (2), with the Spaniard's two errors coming in his last two games (also versus Benfica). Notably, all four of Mohamed Elneny's goals for Arsenal have come in European competition (1x Champions League, 3x Europa League).
Arteta responds to his side's win
Arteta said it's a positive result but they have to stop making the errors. "We gave them a goal trying to play out from the back but then we reacted well to score two more goals. Overall a really positive result but we have to stop making the errors that are costing goals because we cannot sustain that," he told BT Sport.
