Gutted in Greece, Olympiacos 3-1 Arsenal

Its a rare thing in football to have a match you don't need to win.  Arsenal had previously secured the top spot in Group F of the Champions League and its a good thing because they absolutely got thrashed by Olympiacos on Tuesday.  Despite their vibrant display, the Greek champions were eliminated due to Marseille's late comeback in Dortmund.  So the loss proved a disappointment for both sides, but at least the Greeks had the satisfaction of a job well done.

The evening at a glance...

Arsenal fielded a side not unlike their Carling Cup lineup, with a mix of experienced and younger players.  One real plus from the match is that the starting XI were given the opportunity for some much needed R&R.  Wenger celebrated his 200th match in European competition, but I've no doubt he'll be wanting to forget that milestone.  The crowd of 32,000 within Karaiskakis Stadium boasted a volume equal to perhaps twice their numbers and one could quickly grasp this team were fighting for a European lifeline.  The hosts did not disappoint having a chance gone wide in under the first minute of play.  Arshavin countered with a shot of his own, Mirallas for the home side, then Santos and Frimpong for the likes of Arsenal.  A back and forth rhythm was developing.  The game was not a pretty one, but it was fast and intense.  And then, the goal.  Squillaci and Djourou attempted to clear the same ball but they had instead hand delivered it for the onrushing Djebbour to scoop up.  Deftly rounding Fabianski, Olypiacos were a goal to the good with only sixteen minutes on the board.  Two more strikes and moments later, Fabiaski was stretchered off, the injury resulting from a collision with Djebbour.  So at twenty-five minutes, third string Vito Mannone took the field.  The Ox and Benayoun combined to nearly level the deficit, but the recovery remained incomplete.  With thirty-six minutes gone, Manonne came off his line with a fine headed clearance, but Fuster gathered the ball thirty yards out and had a crack at goal.  Sadly, Manonne misjudged his position and attempted a kick-save when he could have used his hands.  It was the second fortunate goal for the hosts and they showed no signs of stopping.  

There was little improvement from the Gunners after the break.  Instead another injury to report, as Santos limped to the byline after only six minutes.  Miquel took his place and would soon take part in the Arsenal goal.  Just before the hour, Miquel's cross was chested down by Chamakh and confidently finished by Benayoun.  A good strike but far too early to celebrate.  The goal did seem to take the edge off Olympiacos and Arsenal crept back into the game as Rosicky came on in the seventy-fourth minute.  The Gunners nearly equalized as Benayoun fed 'Super Tom' who was narrowly quenched by the GK.  The hosts soon found their footing and renewed their attack.  The Greeks had an argument for a penalty with a handball in the box late in the game.  That third goal would come however, with a minute to spare as a ball headed off the bar was neatly tucked in by Modesto.  So too had the game and resulting Group F standings been put to bed.  

Would that it had gone in...

Now its not all bad news, several youngsters put forth strong performances in their Champs League debuts.  Miquel, the tenacious Frimpong, and of course the Ox all had good showings.  Far less can be said of our reserves between the sticks, but it would be a difficult situation for any keeper, much less one with very little first team experience in recent months.  Szczesny just can't get hurt, thats all.  The injury to Santos may prove costly in coming weeks as the backline had finally seemed to work out all the kinks.  Another encouraging note from the game was Benayoun's involvement as midfield maestro.  His experience will be called upon with our fixture congestion the rest of the month as our top players will need rotation.  Also, the blow is considerably softened when viewed from the angle of Manchester, England.  Both the red and the blue will be kicking about in the Europa League come the new year, and I'm sure this loss will be long forgotten.  Looking forward, Arsenal awaits a favorable draw for the knockout round as AC Milan, Napoli, and Bayer Leverkusen, by no means unbeatable, are perhaps the stiffest opposition to progress.  Saturday is Everton and the 125th anniversary match at Emirates Stadium.  This opponent is no push-over, but it should be all three points this weekend.  Also, if Chelsea fall to Man City, we're back in the top four, and who knows? maybe even the title race!!

A Silver Lining At Last, Arsenal 3-1 Shrewsbury Town

It was a day of first at the Emirates this afternoon.  As usual, Wenger used the Carling Cup tie as an opportunity to give Arsenal's young talent a first team debut.  In a nervy first half, the League Two Lions were first to nick the scoresheet and the young guns were lucky to have kept them at bay.  The Shrews ousted Derby and Swansea to book their ticket to Emirates and there was an upset brewing in the early stages.  However, the Professor and his youthful crew held on and staged a resilient comeback to liven the fans and silence some critics.  Its on to the next round!!

Shrews draw first blood

After a pair of Arsenal chances in the first five minutes, it was all Shrewsbury and they stole the lead in only the 17th minute.  The North London youngsters were looking shellshocked as the traveling Shrews fans made themselves heard.  With less than 47,000 in attendance, Emirates was not its usual self this evening.  However, the Shewsbury end was euphoric.  As the minutes ticked away, the host's backline were finally able to settle down and see off the pressure of the Lions attack.  That patience would be rewarded.  In the 34th minute, it would be two Arsenal defenders responsible for leveling the game and restoring some much needed confidence.  A well timed cross came in from Jenkinson on the right and Kieran Gibbs was there to bury his header into the net.  In 57 games for Arsenal, the goal was Gibbs very first.  The score gave the hosts confidence to build on, but the visitors were hardly abated.  A young Arsenal set to work, intent on reaching the next round.

Young Guns fight back

After the break, it was Arsenal who emerged from the tunnel the stronger side.  Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain had been the most promising young gun on the pitch for most of the evening.  In the 58th minute, he secured his status as man of the match.  From a distance of about 25 yards, he collected a short pass, then let loose a screamer of a shot.  Shrewsbury keeper Smith was able to get across, but the shot proved too hot to handle.  "The Ox" was into the books and onto the scoresheet with his first senior debut.  Ryo Myachi was subbed in with nearly twenty minutes to play.  Yossi Benayoun ended the competition by slotting in Arsenal's third goal with only ten minutes of regulation to play.  All three goals were the first recored by the Arsenal players.  At full time, the hosts had seen off a fiery display by the visitors from Shropshire.

The youthful Arsenal squad played well and responded accordingly to early pressure from Shrewsbury.  Oxlaide-Chamberlain was wonderful to watch and is well on his way to a regular first team spot.  Also, Francis Coquelin put on an impressive show.  The only complaint from Arsenal fans may be that Ryo was given only 20 minutes in his debut, but i'm confident we'll see more from him in the future.  Give credit to Shrewsbury Town.  They certainly scared and silenced Emirates early on, and stunned the hosts with chants of "Are you Wrexham in disguise??"  The Lions gave Arsenal plenty to do and the League Two side should be proud of their performance.  Hopefully, Emirates will host them again before too long.  Well Done Shrews!!  And best of luck in the League!!

More Carling Cup News:
Man U trounced Leeds United 3-0.  Stoke bested Tottenham 7-6 on penalties.  Newcastle fought off three Notts Forrest comebacks to win 4-3.  Bolton bettered Aston Villa 2-0 at Villa Park.  The Wolves thumped Millwall 5-0 and Burley came back to beat MK Dons 2-1.

In today's fixtures, Championship Brighton take on Liverpool.  The Bluebirds of Cardiff City battle Leicester City.  Chelsea duel with Fulham and West Brom travel to Everton.  Finally, the Manchester Millionarios take on cup holders Birmingham City.