Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Olympiakos: 5 things we learned – Oh dear, oh dear

By Andrew Dowdeswell

Arsenal, Mikel Arteta (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Arsenal, Mikel Arteta (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal FC looks dejected after the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal FC looks dejected after the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /

On Thursday night, Arsenal hosted Olympiakos in the second leg of their Europa League Round of 32 tie. Here are five things we learned from the 2-1 loss.

Well, you could see it coming. Arsenal started their second leg in the Europa League Round of 32 against Greek side Olympiakos sluggishly, as if they believed they could waltz into the Emirates and roll on through thanks to their first-leg lead. They failed to ever snap out of first gear and were punished in heartbreaking fashion, conceding a last-minute goal to send them home. In the end, it was all that they deserved.

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Here are five things we learned from the disastrous 2-1 defeat.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) head coach Mikel Arteta of Arsenal FC gestures during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) head coach Mikel Arteta of Arsenal FC gestures during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /

5. Mikel Arteta wanted to win the Europa League

Unlike the tactical tinkering of Unai Emery, Mikel Arteta has a very defined way of playing. And he has a very clear pecking order in his mind that is relatively easy to determine, even without the privy of information that is discussed behind the scenes. And so, when he played the team that he did against Olympiakos, it was quite clear what he thought of the Europa League.

Arteta played as close to as his strongest side as he can. Sead Kolasinac was dropped due to injury and Alexandre Lacazette replaced Eddie Nketiah. That left a starting XI stocked full of ability, experience, and the best line-up that is currently available. There was no degrading of the Europa League here.

The Europa League is not the Champions League. Some managers rotate heavily for it as a result, focusing on their Premier League exploits before strengthening the midweek team later in the season. Not Arteta. He wanted to win the Europa League. Now, he won’t be able to.