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) the player’s of Arsenal look 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) the player’s of Arsenal look 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) /

1. Nightmare

Quite amazingly given how poor they have played for much of the season, entering the final stretch of the campaign, Arsenal still had a relatively decent opportunity of sneaking into the Champions League, either through an intensely competitive Premier League or in the Europa League. One of those routes is now not possible.

The players knew how damaging this defeat was. It was etched across their faces as soon as Olympiakos scored the winner. Mikel Arteta picked his best team. There was a deep focus on winning the match and going far in the competition. Losing was not an option, and yet, thanks to some horrible passing, lackadaisical defending, and a contemptibly sluggish and complacent attitude, that is precisely what happened.

Very few players performed when needed. Arteta made some curious substitutions, including ending in a 3-5-2 with Nicolas Pepe at right wing-back. All in all, it was a shambles, just when Arsenal needed to unite and perform at their best.

Next. Arsenal Vs Olympiakos: Player ratings. dark

Thursday night could not have gone much worse for Arteta and his players. As a result, the pressure is really on to prove the doubters wrong, respond accordingly, and sneak into the Champions League. What a nightmare!