Arsenal Vs Olympiakos: Replicate first-leg intelligence

Arsenal handled the first leg of their Europa League tie against Olympiakos with great awareness, intelligence, and professionalism. They must now replicate that in Thursday night’s second leg.

Arsenal have been known to mishandle games, especially in two-legged European ties. Their management of certain situations is not the best. They chase deficits too eagerly and find themselves wide open defensively, suddenly chasing a two or three-goal loss in the second leg. They do not hold onto leads very well. They get nervous. They struggle to see out games in the final minutes, too often chasing the jugular.

Listen to the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast here! — A Winning Feeling

But in the first leg of their Round of 32 Europa League tie against Olympiakos, the Gunners produced a surprisingly and encouragingly professional, aware, intelligent performance, sneaking a 1-0 victory to take back to the Emirates.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

After the match, head coach Mikel Arteta praised his team’s development into a more hardened, win-orientated team:

"“Absolutely. It is tough to come to a stadium like this, away in Europe, and get a win and there were a few lessons in the game for us, and some great things for our development as a team.”"

This sentiment of maturity was echoed by the players. In his post-match interview, David Luiz, who was impressive on the night, said:

"“It was a good result for us. It’s so difficult to play here against an amazing team with an amazing coach, amazing atmosphere. It was difficult but I think we played a mature game where we tried not to concede and we knew when we had to defend. They are a good team. They did well in the Champions League against amazing teams and they showed tonight that they have great ideas in football. But we played a humble game, a mature game, and understood that we needed to defend as a team.”"

Olympiakos had only lost once at home all year. They are renowned for flying starts, boast a terrific home atmosphere that Greek international Sokratis was extremely wary of prior to kick-off, and posed a unique problem for a typically flimsy and fragile Arsenal team.

But under the guidance of Arteta and the execution and concentration of the players, they survived the early storm, began to exercise control on the game, and snatched a late winner through Alexandre Lacazette. Rarely were they too zealous in their offensive play, they did not panic when Olympiakos created chances in the early going, and, in the end, they could have snatched another goal on the counter-attack late on.

It was a perfect away performance in a two-legged tie. And now Arsenal have the pleasure of hosting the second leg knowing that a clean sheet will see them through, no matter the result. The tie is not won, however. The first leg only gives them an advantage, not the victory. And so that same professionalism, focus, and match-intelligence are required to manage the second leg.

Arsenal must play a smart match, just as they did in the first leg. There will be space on the counter-attack, they will be pressed hard early on, and they must defend stoutly. But Arteta’s side proved they can excel in these tight, managed situations last week. Now, they simply have to do it all over again.