Olympiacos 0-3 Arsenal: Player Ratings

Hat-trick hero Giroud helped Arsenal pull off a miraculous win against Olympiacos in Greece last night

Arsenal travelled to Greece with their backs against the wall. Riddled with injuries to their key stars, Arsenal were faced with a daunting task of winning by a margin of at least two goals (or 3-2,4-3 and so on) - all at a ground where recent history favoured the hosts.

After an insipid start to the proceedings, where Olympiacos had a few sniffs of Arsenal’s goal, Giroud struck on the half hour mark with help from Ramsey’s sublime cross and poor goalkeeping from Roberto. But the result as it stood at half time would not be sufficient to see Arsenal through.

The second half began on an almost disastrous note for the Gunners as Giroud pulled up in pain, only for him to double the score shortly after with a cool finish from an excellent cutback from former Olympiacos loanee Joel Campbell. A penalty later on in the game presented Giroud with a chance to seal his hat-trick, and he did so with elan.

Such was the manner of the win that all the hype of the pressure on Arsenal seemed to be misplaced, as Arsenal romped home to seal a spot in the Round of 16 for the 16th consecutive season.

Olympiacos

Roberto Jimenez – 4

The Olympiacos shot-stopper was poor between the sticks and really should have done better to prevent the opening goal from trickling into his net. He was sent the wrong way by Olivier Giroud in the penalty kick as well.

D.Siovas – 6

The centre-back was constantly troubled by the likes of Walcott and Campbell and was simply unable to cope with the physical play of Olivier Giroud. Had a decent effort on goal with a header.

Manuel da Costa – 5.5

Had a torrid game like his partner Siovas, and was unable to contain Arsenal’s prolific attack.

A. Masuaku – 5.5

The youngster put in a passionate display but seemed lost in crucial moments on a such a big stage.

K. Fortounis – 5.5

Took the place of veteran midfielder Esteban Cambiasso in the side as Marco Silva decided to opt for some more teeth in the attack. Fortounis was rightly penalized for a lame dive just 10 minutes into the game as he attempted to go clear on goal. He did cause a few problems in the first half but failed to deliver the goods for Marco Silva.

L. Milivojevic – 5.5

Kasami’s partner in the midfield was not an effective shield for his defense and failed to cope with Flamini, Ramsey and Ozil.

O. Ellabdellaoui – 5

The right-back endured a torrid game and was responsible for giving away the penalty that resulted in Olivier Giroud’s hattrick. Though he may have been slightly undone since it appeared that it was an unintentional handball on his part, the referee did not share his sentiment and duly booked him, which also meant he will miss his next UCL match.

P. Kasami – 5.5

Apart from a solid volley which tested Petr Cech, the central midfielder put in a largely anonymous display as he was hauled off with twenty minutes to play as Marco Silva desperately tried to salvage the game by bringing on veteran attacker Alejandro Dominguez.

F. Pardo – 5.5

Another change from Silva as the attacking Colombian who sat out the Greek champions’ last three games made the line-up for this do-or-die clash. Pardo was a constant thorn in Nacho Monreal’s flesh and provided some creativity down the right flank. He was taken off at the closing stages of the game.

B. Ideye – 5.5

Former West Brom club record signing Brown Ideye led the line for the hosts against familiar foes Arsenal. Failed to provide any attacking impetus against the Gunners and was kept under a leash by Koscielny and Mertesacker.

Seba – 5.5

Seba had a spritely start to the game with probing crosses and darting runs. He drew fouls from the backline as Olympiacos started the game on the front foot, but his impact gradually waned and was replaced by his compatriot Hernani for the last minutes of the game.

Substitutes

Dominguez – 5.5

Brought on in place of the defensive player Kasami to provide some goals but never looked like he would score. He did little to alter the course of the match.

Finnbagoson- N/A.

A goal-scorer in the reverse fixture, failed to do much as the game was dead and buried by the time he was brought on.

Hernani- N/A

Had very little impact on the game after replacing Seba.

Arsenal

P. Cech – 8

The one man who Arsenal fans wished played a part in the reverse fixture at the Emirates this season was undoubtedly Petr Cech. Tested occasionally by the Olympiacos attack, Cech pulled off routine blocks and catches and showed his experience in the odd occasion the Arsenal defence were caught out by a counter-attack.

L Koscielny – 7.5

The difference the absence of the Frenchman makes to the Arsenal backline was evident from the games away to Bayern and Norwich City, and the central defender put in another commanding display as Arsenal kept a clean sheet.

H. Bellerin – 7

Hector Bellerin has not been the same marauding right back who had Douglas Costa in his pocket and provided an assist for the ages for Mesut Ozil in the game against Bayern at home. His lost form may be attributed to the injury which he sustained that kept him out of action for a while, but apart from conceding cheap fouls occasionally, the Spaniard put in a tidy performance.

N. Monreal – 7

Had a tough start to the game but showed why he was one of the most highly rated left-backs in the League with an excellent performance. His movements going forward were always a threat and he secured the penalty with his shot that took a deflection off a defender’s arm.

P. Mertesacker – 7

In a game where the margin of victory was more critical than the result itself, Mertesacker almost gifted Olympiacos a goal when he just dozed off to let Ideye clear on goal, only for Koscielny to mop up for him. Settled down soon and with his partner Koscielny, he managed to keep the opposition attack under wraps for most of the game as Arsenal came away with an important win.

M. Flamini – 7

The veteran midfielder and recently turned renewable energy tycoon almost opened the scoring for the Gunners when he had an effort which clipped just off the crossbar. He had a good game and Wenger will hope he keeps deputizing for Coquelin as efficiently as he is.

A. Ramsey – 8

The Welshman has been relishing his return to his favoured central midfield role, and with 2 assists and 1 goal in his two games in that position, Arsenal have not missed Cazorla too keenly. He supplied Giroud with an excellent cross for Arsenal’s opener and the path is clear for him to have an extended run in the engine room, and fans will hope that he repeats his heroics of the 13-14 season.

M. Ozil – 7.5

Arsenal’s worst nightmare almost surfaced when reports emerged that Ozil had fitness issues before the match, but thankfully he was able to make the team sheet. Such is the imperious form he is in, that you would be forgiven for saying that he had an off day for not having a return of any goals or assists.

Though not at his best, Ozil had a hand to play in the game and saw a wonderful free kick from the edge of the box kept out by the keeper.

T. Walcott – 7

Theo returned to the line-up as Wenger put up his best frontline from the available options in an attempt to attain the requisite margin of victory to qualify. He kept tormenting the frontline with his speedy and incisive runs, but was replaced by Wenger for the defensive Gibbs in an attempt to keep him fresh for the Premier League.

J. Campbell – 8

Joel Campbell returned to one of the many grounds where he spent time out at loan, but where he had maximum impact with a return of 8 goals including the goal that sent United crashing out in the 11-12 season. Enterprising in attack and always tracking back to help his team, Campbell produced a moment of genuine quality with his assist for Giroud and Arsenal’s second goal of the night.

O. Giroud – 9

After a tame header straight at Roberto from what was pretty much Arsenal’s first chance of the game, Giroud duly made amends by applying the finishing touches to Ramsey’s excellent cross for the opener. He held up the ball well and brought his teammates into the game.

A night he will cherish as he secured a fine hat-trick as he looks to banish the demons of last season’s failed Champions League campaign.

Substitutes

Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain – N/A.

Brought on by Wenger to wind down the clock.

Calum Chambers – N/A.

Brought on by Wenger to wind down the clock.

Kieran Gibbs – 6.5

Took Walcott’s spot on the left wing, and was brought on after the result was a foregone conclusion.