Arsenal 2 - Olympiacos 0: Lots of cooking, no taste.

In the Champions League, any win must be congratulated as you play opponents that have earned their national federation right to play abroad. For most of the game, Arsenal were the better side in an attacking sense, and by attacking relentlessly, they had little to defend. A taste of what may be enjoyed if all players remain fit, all the clubs premier technicians were on show bar Nasri, Fabregas-Rosicky-Diaby-Arshavin-Van Persie.

Inevitably, this led to lots of very good approach work, and against Nikopolidis who did a 'Mannone' saving everything, it took Arsenal 78mins to get past the Greeks. Whilst all the approach work was very good, where was the finishing? Do Arsenal require a finisher in the box still? Also the opposition were able to breach the lines a few times, why can't the team become more compact when an attack breaks down? This is something I keep seeing, the midfield not becoming compact and constricting the oppositions chances. Onwards and upwards then.


Player Ratings.

Mannone 5: Did his job when required.

Eboue 6: Good attacking.

Gallas 6: Very firm performance

Vermaelen 6: Very firm performance, no need for his all action style today.

Clichy 5: Can still improve yet in all departments.

Song-Billong 6: Never looked in trouble, infact got others out of trouble.

Fabregas 6: A bit like we are used to, although bad shooting, needs to mark better though.

Rosicky 5: Nice work, but fitness and not tracking back, hopefully once he has been fully rehabilitated he will get back to his Dortmund levels.

Arshavin 5: Still not getting into the matches enough for my liking. Nice goal though.

Diaby 5: The real Diaby never came out, the Diaby Arsenal need, the Diaby that can dominate a match with his technique. He is setting the bar very low for himself, what a shame for both player and the club.

Van Persie 6: Works hard, but Arsenal require a finisher in that role. Good for him to score as well though.


Trainer Rating.

Wenger 7. Deployed his resources where required, good tactical scheme, made changes when required, not many complaints when things go well. Maybe he may have to find a way to get Eduardo or Vela into the side as the team needs a striker that can finish all the creativity the side creates.