Arsenal hopes in ruins as Olympiacos earn shock win

Alfreo Finnbogason: Celebrates Olympiacos' winning goal against Arsenal

Alfreo Finnbogason: Celebrates Olympiacos' winning goal against Arsenal

Arsenal’s Champions League hopes are hanging by a thread after a shock 3-2 defeat to Olympiacos in their Group F clash at Emirates Stadium.

After a defeat at Dinamo Zagreb in their opener two weeks ago, the Gunners really needed to take maximum points against the Greeks with home and away games against Bayern Munich up next.

Goals from Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez twice drew Arsenal level, but Alfreo Finnbogason 66th-minute winner earned the Olympiacos the win.

Francis Coquelin: Challenges Olympiakos' Greek midfielder Kostas Fortounis

Francis Coquelin: Challenges Olympiacos’ Greek midfielder Kostas Fortounis

 

Olympiacos took a shock lead after 33 minutes as Felipe Pardo’s first-time hit from a corner took a wicked deflection off Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to completely wrong-foot David Ospina before finding the back of the net.

Arsenal weren’t behind for long, though, as Walcott level matters just three minutes later, firing home in off the goalkeeper after being played in behind by Sanchez.

However, the visitors were soon back in front following a simply shocking piece of goalkeeping from Ospina, who was caught out by the curl from a corner to take the ball over his own line.

Kostas Fortounis: Celebrates Olympiakos' second against Arsenal in the Champions League

Kostas Fortounis: Celebrates Olympiakos’ second against Arsenal in the Champions League

 

The match continued at full tilt and Arsenal went level after 65 minutes through Sanchez’s header, but just 59 seconds later and Olympiacos restored their lead, Finnbogason flicking home a cute finish to leave the Gunners again chasing the match.

There would be no way back for Wenger’s side this time, though, with the result leaving them bottom of the group, three points adrift of Olympiacos and Dinamo Zagreb, and another three behind leaders Bayern Munich.

What did you make of Arsenal’s performance? And what of Arsene Wenger’s decision to rest Petr Cech and play David Ospina? Is there any hope against Bayern Munich?