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Fans love to discuss invincibility in this part of North London, and it's still the only way to describe Mikel Arteta's record with Arsenal in European group stage matches at the Emirates Stadium. Currently, eight victories out of eight in the Champions League with no goals allowed. Adding to factor in the secondary European tournament from the start of his reign, it's 14 wins out of all with two goals let in.

The Greek side had come with a remarkable record of their making. They had won on their last three visits to the Emirates, the most recent two occurring in the knockout rounds of the Europa League, although the latter in 2020-21 did not prevent an overall defeat.

No one expected anything other than another home success, the most recent demonstration of Arsenal's strength and depth despite this proving to be a strong visiting vintage. It was more tense than the supporters would have liked in the final minutes, the opposition applying pressure and causing a nervous moments.

But this Arsenal team is not easily breached. We are into the month and still they have conceded just three goals in every match – just a single of them in regular play. The Brazilian forward found the net for them in the 12th minute with Bukayo Saka, coming off the bench, taking a ball from the outstanding captain to make things safe in added time. The North Londoners roll on.

Historical Context

Arsenal had to go back to late 2019 for the last time they had failed to win a group tie at home in European competition; a defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League which led to the dismissal of Unai Emery, the interim period of the club legend and the arrival of Arteta, whose initial continental game would be against the Greeks in the round of 32. It ended in a last-gasp overtime loss here and an away goals exit.

There were several eye-catching lines around the match, several linked to past performances. The last time Arsenal previously let in a goal in a continental group game on their own turf? It was versus Rapid Vienna in the four-one Europa League win in late 2020.

Team Selection

The manager rotated the squad to his lineup – six of them from Sunday's victory at St James' Park – as he was always likely to do. With the ability to recall players of the quality of William Saliba and Ødegaard, it spoke volumes.

Ødegaard was in the mood at the start, bringing the intensity on the ball; the incision. The captain initiated an early move that saw the forward unexpectedly glancing Myles Lewis-Skelly's cross wide while unmarked in front of goal. It appeared to deflect off his upper body.

No matter. It was not long before Arsenal took the lead and it was the Brazilian with the close-range finish from a difficult position after the striker saw the goalkeeper, the Olympiakos keeper, push his effort against the upright. Ødegaard had played the assist to Gyökeres and it was all about the forward's strength; he barged in between two Olympiakos backs to make it happen.

Match Highlights

Martinelli was on his weaker right side; the Belgian on the opposite wing. The winger only had to passed to his teammate on 21 minutes when Arsenal countered with two against one. Instead, he attempted to outrun the final defender and could not get around him.

Arsenal should have had additional goals before the half-time. The striker overlooked a square pass for Martinelli after the captain's incisive pass and fired at Tzolakis while the defender went near following his corner. Gyökeres swiped another chance high after a excellent ball from Trossard.

The visitors, to their deserved praise, competed well. Their striker directed a effort too near to David Raya just before Martinelli broke the deadlock and their best opportunity of the first half came in the 32nd minute when Daniel Podence connected with a volley sweetly from his teammate's cross. Raya tipped over; an superb reflex save.

The club owner, the Greek club proprietor, was present in the stands a few weeks after seeing one of his other clubs, Nottingham Forest, lose three-nil here. In the away enclosure, the away diehards banged their drums and sang their anthems. They are regarded as one of the continent's most passionate fanbases for good reason. Could the team provide something?

Second Half

Arteta brought on the midfielder for his counterpart as he aimed to manage the remainder. The idea seemed to be containment; they slowed through the pace. Trossard blew a couple of opportunities but there was some anxiety in the home seats; shouts for the team to wake up as they weathered a scare midway through the half. The winger's cross was perfect for the striker, whose attempt was saved by Raya. The striker poked in the rebound but he was in an offside position.

Arteta brought on Saka and Eberechi Eze while he was obliged to replace Gabriel Magalhães for the young defender. Ødegaard ought to have converted from near the goal only to be stopped by Tzolakis and the Greeks held onto hope. Saka would extinguish it at the final moment.