Olympiacos Stun Arsenal in Extra Time, Advance to Europa League Round of 16
A last-gasp goal by Olympiacos shocked Arsenal 2-1 on Thursday in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League last-32 stage, earning the Greek side a 2-2 aggregate victory on away goals after extra time at the Emirates Stadium.
The home crowd were stunned when Pape Abou Cisse gave the Greek side a 53rd-minute lead from Mathieu Valbuena's corner.
Arsenal were short of ideas, and neither team could find the goal that would see them advance, triggering extra time.
Fatigue was evident in the closing stages, but a dramatic overhead kick by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the 113th minute triggered celebrations from home fans.
However, there was a final twist when Youssef El-Arabi netted for Olympiacos in the last minute of extra time, and Arsenal crashed out of Europe.
Mikel Arteta rotated his options for the Gunners, with Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette handed starts in north London.
The hosts controlled the early action as they pushed forward. However, Olympiacos worked their way into the match and pressured Arsenal's defence.
Mesut Ozil was influential as the Spaniard's men hunted for an opener, and the Gunners were frustrated six minutes before half-time when Lacazette's finish was ruled offside. Saka's cross had found the French striker in the box, but the impressive 18-year-old was a fraction offside before delivering the ball.
The tie was flipped on its head soon after half-time when Arsenal failed to defend Valbuena's corner. Cisse's run wasn't tracked, and the defender emphatically headed home.
Arsenal were clearly stunned by conceding, and the Athens team suddenly began testing Bernd Leno.
The Gunners had still failed to hit the target in the match deep into the second half, though they played with more intent in the last 20 minutes while chasing a goal to put the tie to bed, but the visitors remained resolute and busy in their defending.
Nicolas Pepe finally claimed Arsenal's first shot on target with 14 minutes remaining. However, Jose Sa saved the forward's effort.
The game went to extra time as both teams lacked a cutting edge to win in normal time, but a wonderful strike from Aubameyang appeared to have given Arsenal a route into the last 16.
However, the Gunners failed to defend in the final moments, and El-Arabi broke Arsenal hearts with a clinical finish off a cross from the right, providing the visitors an unlikely victory in the capital.
Aubameyang did have a chance to win the tie for Arsenal at the death, but the striker failed to hit the target when he should have netted.
What's Next
Olympiacos welcome struggling Panetolikos on Sunday in Super League Greece, while Arsenal travel to Portsmouth on Monday in the FA Cup fifth round. The Europa round of 16 begins on March 12.
