"And breathe. As Bukayo Saka shot low, hard and ultimately through Kostas Tzolakis in the Olympiakos goal to complete an occasionally uncomfortable 2-0 win, the noise from the home crowd was more a weary, sofa-flopping sigh than a roar of triumph, with the sense, finally, of a midweek putting-to-bed. This was a game Arsenal always looked like they were winning, despite seeming to realise this a little too early in the piece against eager and purposeful opponents."
"Even at kick-off the Emirates Stadium felt like a workaday place, an extension of the rush hour high street just beyond the hard white lights, London urgency, nine to five football, a necessary task as we head now toward that part of the year when the lights come on at four and the season really starts to shift gears. Victory aside, two interesting things happened here for Arsenal."
"degaard was brilliant, even in the period when Arsenal were not, and this is important: 84 touches, four shots, an assist, a reel of delightful passes, nudges, prompts. He really is a lovely player to watch when he performs like this, part feather-footed artist, part furiously unforgiving press-machine, veering about like a drop of water in a pan of hot oil."
Arsenal produced a controlled but occasionally uncomfortable 2-0 victory over Olympiakos, with Bukayo Saka scoring the decisive second goal. The Emirates atmosphere felt subdued and routine rather than celebratory. Martin degaard completed 90 minutes, recording 84 touches, four shots and an assist while blending delicate creativity with intense pressing. Victor Gyokeres also played 90 minutes, offering energetic, direct movement that hints at evolving tactical patterns. Squad depth and high expectations continue to shape perceptions of the team. The result represented a necessary midweek job done as the season moves into a busier period.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]