Arsenal Edge Olympiakos 2-0 as Arteta Delivers a Finishing Wake-Up Call

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hailed the 2-0 win over Olympiakos in Wednesday night’s Champions League group stage clash, but he immediately reminded his team that converting big opportunities will be the deciding factor in Europe. The Spaniard praised a strong performance and the clean sheet against a tough opponent, yet he stressed that wasteful moments could prove costly as the campaign unfolds. There was a spell when Arsenal’ s defense was briefly exposed, and goalkeeper David Raya produced a crucial save to preserve the shutout.

Arteta told TNT Sports: "I’m very happy with the win and with keeping a clean sheet against a very difficult opponent. We started well, we scored, and we created big chances. In the Champions League, if you don’t take them, you’ll suffer later. We had a period where our defense was open a bit, and Raya had to make a big save to keep the goal intact." He also saluted the players for the effort shown after a demanding fixture with Newcastle United merely three days earlier.

"When you get such big opportunities, you must put them away," he added. "We had to battle to control the game, and in the end, we earned the win." The coach also commented on captain Martin Ødegaard’s influence, noting that he helped drive the team forward, opened space for teammates, and deserved a goal himself. Arteta also provided an update on the injury to Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhães, saying he was substituted after picking up a knock in the first half.

What Ødegaard Said

Meanwhile, Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard spoke with relief about contributing to the victory after his return from injury. The Norwegian midfielder, named Man of the Match, said: "It was great to be back. I hadn’t played much this season, so it felt good to return and be part of an important win. I feel good and this win matters a lot." He added: "We work daily on maintaining fluidity and resilience, we want to be creative and we know the quality we have. Defensively we are solid, and if we keep creating chances like this, we’ll stay strong."

Ødegaard also highlighted Viktor Gjökeres (the Swedish forward’s consistency and menace), saying his forward line constantly posed a threat and created several opportunities. He underscored that finishing remains a shared responsibility across the squad and emphasized that the team must continue to grow in attack as well as defense.

Martinelli: This Is the Nature of the Champions League

Arsenal’s Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli, who opened the scoring, reflected on what the competition demands. He said, "This is the nature of the Champions League. Olympiakos are a strong side with good players. We could have added more in the first half, but that’s how the tournament goes."

Martinelli recounted his early moment, noting that a well-timed run and a clever interplay with teammates helped him reach the ball, even if the finish wasn’t perfect. He admitted that the goal came from a well-delivered cross and acknowledged the need to be more precise in front of goal in future matches. He also praised the depth of Arsenal’s squad, stressing that the team always aims to win every competition they enter and wants to lift trophies across the board.

Speaking about the broader squad, the club’s attackers and midfielders were praised for their movement and willingness to take risks. The conversation also touched on Viktor Gjökeres’ role as a dynamic option who adds pressure on defenses and creates space for others. The overall message was that Arsenal are building a collective threat, even as they chase consistency in front of goal.

Arsenal’s Record Highlights

Statistically, Arsenal extended their unbeaten streak at home in Champions League group-stage play, recording a 14th consecutive home win on this stage, with 11 of those clean sheets. The London club also achieved six consecutive victories in this stage for the first time in two decades, and they have lost only twice in their last 24 group-stage matches (18 wins, 4 draws).

On the flip side, Olympiakos’ away form remained under pressure, marking their 11th straight loss away from home in the Champions League since a 1-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb back in October 2015. The Greek side has managed just two wins in their last 22 matches at this stage, underscoring the scale of the challenge posed by Europe’s elites this season.

In short, Arsenal walked away from the night with three valuable points and a reminder that finishing chances cleanly will be essential if they are to progress from the group. The depth of their squad and the return of Ødegaard give them optimism, but Arteta’s message—finish your opportunities or risk the consequences—will ring in many post-match discussions this season.

Punchline 1: If finishing chances were a sniper’s target practice, Arsenal would have earned a few more medals by now—sighted, aimed, and somehow the ball keeps filing its own excuses into the net.
Punchline 2: And if defense were a crime scene, Raya’s saves are the evidence—clearly, the detective work isn’t done, but the suspect list is shrinking one clean sheet at a time.