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Arsenal Vs Olympiakos: 5 things we learned – Job done

By Andrew Dowdeswell

Arsenal, Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Arsenal, Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal’s Brazilian defender David Luiz applauds supporters on the pitch after the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg football match between Olympiakos and Arsenal at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, near Athens, on February 20, 2020. – Arsenal won the game 1-0. (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Brazilian defender David Luiz applauds supporters on the pitch after the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg football match between Olympiakos and Arsenal at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, near Athens, on February 20, 2020. – Arsenal won the game 1-0. (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

1. A good defence

Few expected Arsenal’s defence to be the focus of Mikel Arteta’s early work. But two months into his reign at the club, if there is one area of the team that he has improved the most, it is the defence, especially the compactness and structure of the team.

The Gunners kept their third clean sheet in a row on Thursday night. That is the first time since April 2019 that they have done so. The high press is effective, the midfield is stout and strong, and the distances between the individual players and collective units are close and consistent, making the team very difficult to play through and break down.

At the heart of it are two revitalised centre-backs: Shkodran Mustafi and David Luiz started all three of those matches as a centre-half partnership. It is clear that Arteta wants continuity at the position, but he is also being rewarded with excellent performances. Both Luiz and Mustafi were very good again here.

Next. Arsenal Vs Olympiakos: Player ratings. dark

However shocking it may seem, Arsenal now have a good defence. They are resolute, determined, well-drilled, and poised. And it might just take them a long way.