Arsenal vs. Olympiacos

3-1, Champions League, Emirates, 2012.10.03
Gervinho 42,
Podolski 56,
Ramsey 90

What started off as a nervy and insecure game on our part ended in triumph! Where the first half definitely was Olympiacos' half, the second half was ours beyond a shadow of a doubt, it showed great mental strength to turn the game around as drastically as we did in the second half and that gained us three very important points!

As mentioned, the first half was no good half for us. Olympiacos were disciplined in their defence and we struggled to find any chances to score whereas they had several good chances from catching us on the break. The first forty-five minutes seemed to end in grand style when Gervinho fired a precise shot that was just out of the goalkeeper's reach! We got really lucky in that situation, as Arteta attempted to meet Podolski's cross, but failed at that and somehow the ball ended up at the feet of the Ivorian striker. However, the joy was short-lived as Olympiacos equalized mere minutes later from an opportunity that should have been dealt with by our centre-halves, who flanked the striker on both sides. A major disappointment yet Bould (Wenger will be back from suspension for the away game against Schalke) must have given some half-time talk because the team looked changed in the second half!

It was brilliant to see this "new" team! We found the flair from earlier in the season and played the game like it should be played. It goes without saying that we found the back of the net before long; and it was our new German striker who bagged his fourth goal in his eight appearance for the club! Lukas Podolski met Gervinho's cross in a crowded area but still managed to release a powerful shot that went below the 'keeper and into the goal!
To think that that settled the game would be a grave mistake. Olympiacos maintained their good play and we were far from certain of victory until the very last minute when Aaron Ramsey broke free from the defence (thanks to a brilliant header by Giroud) and cheekily chipped the ball past the 'keeper!

This leaves us in a great position, with two victories in the first two games. But we must be aware of the fact that Schalke have won both of their games as well, so the next game will be vital to win!

Injury Update;
- Diaby will be gone for about three weeks from an injury he picked up against Chelsea.
- Sagna and Wilshere are both getting close to a return to the first-team!