Playing for 90
Fansided

Arsenal 0-1 Olympiacos: 3 things learned as Gunners through to Europa League Quarter Final

By Megan Garbutt

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal prepares to become part of the wall from the floor during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Olympiacos at Emirates Stadium on March 18, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal prepares to become part of the wall from the floor during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Olympiacos at Emirates Stadium on March 18, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next

3. Different Arsenal formation proves interesting

Arsenal’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny controls the ball during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16, 2nd leg football match between Arsenal and Olympiakos at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 18, 2021. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny controls the ball during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16, 2nd leg football match between Arsenal and Olympiakos at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 18, 2021. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images) /

In this tie that was seemingly settled as an Arsenal win in the first leg, Mikel Arteta opted for a 4-3-3 formation rather than his usual 4-2-3-1.

Ceballos was played further up the field than usual in the number ten role behind Aubameyang, which at times proved to work as the Spaniard was able to get the ball into Aubameyang a fair few times.

The Real Madrid Loanee, in his second season in North London, was able to create three chances form his position as well as completing two accurate long balls.

Despite playing Ceballos more central and further up the field, having Mohammed Elneny, as well as Granit Xhaka play in midfield alongside him didn’t prove to work and Xhaka or Elneny didn’t prove to be of much service throughout the game, with Ceballos being the stand out of the three.

Arsenal certainly play better with a midfield duo, with one being more creative and attacking and the other sitting behind the defence.

Thomas Partey was subbed on in the second half and instantly made an impact, charging forward with the. ball as well as getting back and defending.

Odegaard also came on to replace Ceballos in the second half in the Number ten position and looked a threat going forward, creating chances himself and linking up well with Pepe towards the end of the game.

The substitution that most excited Arsenal fans was when Martinelli was subbed on with ten minutes to. The Brazillian youngster, who has not yet started a single game this season, has been working hard in training and having extra shooting coaching.

Martinelli made an instant impact going forward and almost provided the assist for what should’ve been an easy goal for Aubameyamg, but even with ten minutes on the pitch, he has certainly proven his worth.

Arteta has so many options in attack and Martinelli is fit and raring to go, which shouldn’t stop Arteta from giving him more minutes towards the end of the season. The 19-year old certainly wants to stay in North London and should certainly be in Arteta’s future plans as he’s such a creative young talent.

Next. Arsenal might have found Martinelli 2.0. dark

What did you make of Arsenal’s display?

Home/Arsenal FC